THE Commonwealth Casino Commission office has shut down due to lack of funds, but the commissioners on Thursday held their monthly meeting even without staff because “this is required by our regulations,” the acting commission chair, Ralph S. Demapan, said.
Chairman Edward C. Deleon Guerrero was off-island but attended the meeting via videoconference. Also attending virtually was Commissioner Martin Mendiola. Demapan and Commissioners Mario Taitano and Ramon Dela Cruz attended the meeting in person.
Also present at the meeting was Senate Floor Leader Corina L. Magofna who chairs the Senate Committee on Resources, Economic Development & Programs, and Gaming.
Demapan said the commissioners are ready to work with the Palacios-Apatang administration to seek solutions to the problems facing the casino industry, including the litigation involving the island’s lone exclusive casino licensee, Imperial Pacific International.
He also noted that on Jan. 19, the commission received a copy of a memorandum from the governor “requesting” government board members and commissioners appointed by his predecessor to submit their courtesy resignations.
Demapan said he understands that “it is normal practice that when a new administration comes in, courtesy resignations are requested.” But he cited Public Law 18-56, which states that the casino commission members can only be removed with cause.
“So it is entirely up to each member how they want to approach the governor’s memorandum,” Demapan said.
He said he also believes that the casino commissioners must not give up on the “great potential” of the casino industry to bring revenue into the Commonwealth.
He said when Deleon Guerrero returns to Saipan, they will request a meeting with the gaming committee members of the 23rd Legislature.
According to Demapan, the commission submitted a letter to former Gov. Ralph DLG Torres requesting for funding so the contracts of the nine commission employees could be renewed at least for one year or until the commission resolves the litigation with IPI.
He said the commission, through Commissioner Dela Cruz, “conveyed the commission’s desperate and urgent need to the former governor.”
“Unfortunately, the request for financial assistance did not materialize,” Demapan said, adding that the commission’s funds “are now fully depleted.”
Deleon Guerrero, for his part, noted that the casino commission is not budgeted by the CNMI government, except for a $1 appropriation. He said if the new administration feels it can save money by taking that $1 away from the commission, then, the administration can do so.
He added that the commission still has “receivables.” These include the $3.15 million in annual regulatory fees that IPI has failed to pay three years in a row, he said.
Dela Cruz, for his part, said the commission should also be entitled to receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of IPI assets by the court-appointed receiver.
Commonwealth Casino Commission acting Chairman Ralph Demapan, center, Commissioners Mario Taitano, second left, Ramon Dela Cruz, second right, executive assistant to the commission Ruth Ann P. Sakisat, left, and Assistant Attorney General Keisha Blaise, right, hold a meeting on Thursday in the commission’s conference room at Springs Plaza in Gualo Rai.
