PAGCOR loses appeal on Waterfront license

The Court of Appeals has denied an appeal by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp to reverse a decision calling on the regulator to issue a license to Waterfront Philippines for a casino, local media reports.

The resolution was dated April 22, with the court affirming an October, 2018 decision.

“After carefully considering the grounds raised in the subject motion, We find that the said reasons and the arguments in support thereof have been amply treated, discussed and passed upon in the subject decision.

“The additional arguments proffered therein constitute no cogent or compelling reason to modify, much less reverse, it,” it ruled.

Waterfront filed a petition for mandamus in 2015 after Pagcor refused to act on its application, despite it having entered all relevant documentation.

The court found Waterfront completed all requirements for the project application, including paying a $100 million deposit.

The CA also sustained the award of P100,000 as moral damages, as well as P100,000 as exemplary damages to Waterfront, which plans to build the Grand Waterfront Hotel and Casino.

It stressed that the trial court’s decision should be implemented without delay, especially the issuance of a provisional license to operate in favor of Waterfront.

Latest Intelligence

Latest issue

PATA CEO sees slow recovery, but optimism for future

AGB Podcasts