FORMER Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio is again pushing for the legalization of casino gambling on Saipan.
Tenorio, who represents Japanese investors, said on Monday that the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission had turned down their proposal to put up a $9.9 million “floating casino” on Tinian.
Tenorio said he was already preparing draft legislation for his Saipan casino proposal.
As governor from 1994 to 1998, Tenorio considered the legalization of casino gambling on Saipan, but it was vehemently opposed by Tinian officials.
This time, Tenorio said the Japanese investors “cannot afford to wait.”
“That’s why we’re trying to do it through legislation and not through an initiative,” he said. An initiative is a proposal to amend the Constitution and would require the approval of voters.
Tenorio is hopeful that his proposal would gain “enough support” in the Legislature.
“I’d like to think that at this time I have enough support from our lawmakers. I’m hoping I would have no problems getting it through,” Tenorio said.
But Senate President Paul A. Manglona, R-Rota, said Tenorio’s proposal is “very sensitive.”
“Tinian already has a casino and we should support Tinian,” he said.
Senate Floor Leader Joaquin G. Adriano, D-Tinian, said he would oppose the proposal.
“I’m against it, and the rest of Tinian’s officials will be against it. There is no way we can support that. We need to give Tinian’s casino a chance. We should not defeat the purpose of having a casino on Tinian,” Adriano said.
In a letter to Tenorio, TCGCC Chairman Martin San Nicolas said the floating casino is “not allowed” by the local law that legalized casino gambling on Tinian.
According to TCGCC, the local law only allows casinos on land.
Tenorio, however, said the proposed casino is “floating” only in the sense that it is on a ship.
