By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE Department of Commerce has issued an exemption permit for casino gambling activities on Saipan to a nonprofit group established by former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio, an advocate of casino gaming on island.
The Utilities Assistance Corp. is a nonprofit organization that applied for the exemption permit early this year.
Tenorio, in an interview yesterday, said his group aims to“raise funds to assist our people with their utility bills, especially now that many have been disconnected.”
He said the government allowed his group to conduct casino-type operations from March 16-20 at the Victoria Hotel in Garapan.
“I am hoping that we can generate enough to help as many people as we can, especially those who cannot any longer afford to pay their power bills…we want to help subsidize their utility bills,” said Tenorio, who was governor from Jan. 1994 to Jan. 1998.
Existing law prohibits gambling activities on Saipan, but exemptions can be issued to nonprofit corporations that want to raise funds to help the community.
In a separate interview yesterday, Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said the Fitial administration is still firm in its position on Saipan casino gaming.
“We have not changed our position. The governor’s preference is to develop the Tinian gaming industry first to secure all five licenses and from that point we can consider, if the people of Saipan want to have it here— (but) it’s not our decision (as) the people will (have to) decide through a referendum or islandwide vote,” Reyes said.
In the CNMI, casino gaming is legal only on Tinian.