BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte said there is no need for him to issue an Executive Order (EO) to ban casino operations in Boracay.

Duterte had earlier claimed that he is against the building of a casino in Boracay after Galaxy Macau’s Galaxy Entertainment Group and its local partner, AB Leisure Exponent Inc., announced. Duterte firm on casino ban in Boracay: Kahit bingohan wala Posted on April 30, 2018 President Rodrigo Duterte maintained that there will be no casinos built in Boracay despite the confirmation of the Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment that it acquired 23 hectares of land in Barangay Manoc-Manoc for the new gambling mecca.

'No, I'll just say that I do not need to do that... It is not a requirement that I should really be writing something,” Duterte said in a mixed Filipino and English during a media interview after the distribution of land titles in Boracay on Thursday evening.

During the island’s reopening on October 26, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has recommended the issuance of an EO from the President to speed up the ban on casino operations in Boracay.

Guevarra, in a press conference, said an EO would provide lasting ruling for a no-casino policy on the island.

The President, however, reiterated the resistance from the Boracay community is enough to make the island free from casinos.

Duterte said he has assigned Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to ensure that no casino operation will be allowed in Boracay. “We consulted the people here, the people in Boracay does not want (casino),” he said.

The President said casino operations may also spawn crimes such as illegal drugs, as well as cases of kidnapping. (PNA)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 12) — President Rodrigo Duterte did not authorize the establishment of any casino in Boracay even as the gaming regulator had issued a provisional license to a company, Malacañang said.

'I did clarify this with the President and the President said 'As far as Boracay is concerned I have not issued any proclamation that will authorize any casino in Boracay itself',' Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a media briefing Wednesday.

This was a reiteration of President Duterte's earlier statement before leaving for China that there is no plan to put up a casino in the world-class tourist destination. The government is closing the island down for six months beginning April 26.

'Walang plano sa casino-casino. Tama na 'yan kasi sobra na. Casino dito, casino doon,' the President said in a media briefing on Monday.

[Translation: There is no plan for a casino. There are already too many casinos. It must stop.]

READ: Duterte: No plan to put up Boracay casino

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Roque said Duterte would have to issue a proclamation on how Boracay's land and resources would be utilized.

'The President's thinking is because of the Supreme Court decision that Boracay is state-owned, he as President would have to make a proclamation whenever there is a particular use intended for any portion of Boracay,' the Presidential spokesperson said.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) had released a statement saying the provisional license granted to Boracay Philippines Resort and Leisure Corp. (BPLRC) was issued after the company met all initial documentary requirements such as a Certificate of No Objection and a minimum investment commitment of no less than $300 million.

Macau-based company Galaxy Entertainment Group will handle BPLRC's casino development and operation.

PAGCOR said the license 'is only the start' of the process before the casino can be issued a Notice to Commence Casino Operations and eventually, a regular casino gaming license.

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'PAGCOR being a government entity under the Office of the President, abides by the laws and order of the land. As regulator, it ensures that its licensees comply with pertinent laws, rules, regulations and ordinances promulgated by authorities relative to the establishment and operations of casinos,' its statement read.