Firm seeks social acceptance for poker game
A company which is into gambling operation is wooing residents to give approval to the proposed poker game at Boardwalk, an entertainment and leisure park located at the Pison Avenue in Mandurriao district. A public hearing is set tomorrow at the barangay hall of San Rafael, Mandurriao to test the social acceptance of the proposal.
The Vanskaps & Management Group and their representatives will discuss their proposal with officials and residents of Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao regarding the operation of a poker game.
Boardwalk became the alternative site for the poker game after violations were imminent in the first site eyed by Vanskaps in operating a poker room. The first site of the proposed poker game was the Residence Hotel along General Luna Street, City Proper.
The hotel is near the university. There is a city ordinance which bans the establishment of gambling within the 200 meters distance from school or church.
As early as January 2009, the gambling firm has already expressed their interest in establishing poker games in the city. The Vanskaps & Management Group Inc. through its President Edward Soon Chiu has written Mayor Jerry Treñas of his plan.
Treñas immediately referred Vanskaps’ proposal to the City Legal Office (CLO) for comment. The CLO through Atty. Giovanni Miraflores came up with a recommendation that any gambling operation in the city is subject to regulation by the Sangguniang Panlungsod as provided in the City Ordinance.
The same matter was referred to the City Zoning Board for study.
Vanskaps is a licensed gaming firm of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor). It is based in Lahug, Cebu.
The public hearing was supposed to be held Friday last week. However, the barangay officials and the proponent decided to call off the public hearing since there were only few residents who came to the hearing venue.
The social acceptability of the proposed poker room which leads to the issuance of a barangay clearance is necessary in granting the business permit to the proponent. Earlier, the Church through Msgr. Meliton Oso expressed strong opposition to the plan as it will ruin the moral fiber of the people.
On her part, San Rafael Barangay Captain Azucena Tabuyoc favors the proposed poker game operation since it is another form of “income generation” for her barangay.
She said her residents are not the ones who will play the poker game. They could not afford such game, thus, it would not affect their lives.
Though amenable to the proposed poker game operation, Tabuyoc wants to get the approval of the entire community before any barangay clearance is given to the proponent.
The barangay captain said it is the will of the residents that should be followed and not her personal views alone.