By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

THE Saipan casino initiative petition has discriminatory language which may result in litigation, according to Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr.
He said the petition contains provisions that favor one ethnic group — those who are of NMI descent — over others.
“They might be challenged in court,” Reyes said.
But one of the initiative’s advocates, former Speaker Pedro R. Guerrero, said the proposed law is “not really discriminatory.”
He said it will allow casino management to enter into an agreement for a fee or profit sharing with a person having expertise in casino business gaming activities and operations.
This person, he said, may not be of NMI descent.
“I’m sorry if some people feel it is discriminatory, but that is not how we feel about it,” Guerrero said.
He said the initiative “just wants to recognize the potential of our own people,” in compliance with the CNMI Constitution.
But Reyes said the petition’s key provisions may face potential legal questions, citing similar endeavors in the U.S. that were successfully challenged in court.
He said the Saipan casino advocates should address these legal issues before continuing with their signature campaign.
According to the initiative, a member of the gaming commission should be a person of Northern Marianas descent.
Moreover, the commission “shall issue the casino license only to the Northern Marianas Descent Investment Corporation, which “shall be a profit corporation” whose “incorporators, directors, officers and shareholders shall be of Northern Marianas descent.”
The initiative also gives casino employment preference to “residents of Northern Marianas descent in the commonwealth.”