E-bingo operator told to submit complete documents

28 April 2021 – City officials requested the management of RCC Global Entertainment, Inc. to submit to the local legislative body its complete company profile and other pertinent documents on their operation of electronic and traditional bingo and other games authorized by the State-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) in the city.

Under Resolution No. 206, series of 2021, signed by Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, local legislators stated that during the recent deliberations of the council, the body agreed to request the gaming company to submit its complete documents supporting its operation of electronic and traditional bingo, as well as other PAGCOR approved games in the city for the information and guidance of city officials.

Earlier, the council passed Resolutions No. 208 and 209, series of 2021, that approved the request of Mr. Romeo H. Chong, president of RCC Global Entertainment, Inc., to operate electronic and traditional bingo outlets authorized by PAGCOR at the Summer Pines Residences along Marcos highway and at the Cedar Peak along Mabini Street corner Gen. Luna Street, respectively.

However, local legislators who voted against the approval of the aforesaid resolutions raised the issue on the outright approval done by majority of the members of the city council on the alleged lacking documents presented by the gaming company in its application.

Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong thumbed down the 2 approved resolutions and returned the same to the city council informing the members of the need for the conduct of the necessary public consultations on the matter as the same falls on the nature of being an important public issue.

The outright approval of the resolutions that granted the authority to RCC Global Entertainment, Inc. to operate the electronic and traditional bingo outlets in the proposed sites generated mixed rations from the public the same being a controversial matter that was acted upon even without the company submitting its complete documents justifying its offer on the said matter.

Under the internal rules of procedures of the city council, controversial matters and correspondences that need to undergo deliberations by the members are reportedly referred to the appropriate

committee for study and recommendation prior to being included in the calendar of business of the body in the conduct of their regular sessions every Monday.

The council is expected to deliberate on the contents of the letter of the local chief executive to ascertain the future actions that will be taken by the members of the city council to address the issue that was raised by the mayor on the need for the conduct of public consultations to get the pulse of the residents on the additional electronic and traditional outlets that are set to operate in the city.

Previously, the council also approved the put up of the electronic and traditional bingo outlets along Marcos highway, Maharlika Livelihood Center, SM City Baguio, Baguio Center Mall and at the Albergo Hotel which passed through the regular process in the passage of the resolutions that were initially tackled doing consultations that had been scheduled prior to officially acting on the matter. – Dexter A. See