From left, Commonwealth Casino Commission members Martin Mendiola and Mario Taitano, Chairman Edward C. Deleon Guerrero, Vice Chairman Ralph S. Demapan and member Ramon M. Dela Cruz pose for a photo after a meeting on Thursday in Gualo Rai.
THE Commonwealth Casino Commission is now preparing for a revocation hearing against Imperial Pacific International following the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit’s decision reversing the District Court for the NMI’s ruling that mandated a non-binding arbitration.
In an interview after their meeting on Thursday, the commission chairman, Edward C. Deleon Guerrero, said they were waiting for arbitrator Thomas J. Brewer to issue a decision when the Ninth Circuit ruling came out.
“I see no reason why the arbitrator should decide differently,” he added.
But he said IPI has asked the Ninth Circuit to reconsider its ruling. The Ninth Circuit has until Aug. 12 to either grant or deny IPI’s request.
After Aug.12, Deleon Guerrero said the casino commission will file its own request to the arbitrator to dismiss IPI’s case.
He reiterated that the arbitration is non-binding and “we don’t really need it.”
Commissioner Ramon M. Dela Cruz said whatever the arbitrator’s decision, it is already moot in light of the Ninth Circuit’s ruling.
Deleon Guerrero agreed.
He said they will now schedule a revocation hearing on the five enforcement actions against IPI, including non-payment of the annual exclusive casino license fee and the annual regulatory fee.
IPI, which shut down in March 2020 at the onset of the Covid-19 restrictions, now owes the CNMI government over $46 million in exclusive casino license fee, and over $9 million in regulatory fee, for a total of over $55 million.
