COMMUNITY activist Fabian Indalecio said he was disappointed and angry when he learned about the trip to Manila, the Philippines taken by a group of lawmakers to attend the ASEAN Gaming Summit.
He said it concerns him that these legislators used taxpayers’ money for an off-island travel to attend a conference that he doesn’t believe is beneficial to the Commonwealth.
“People are being terminated from work while others are getting work hour cuts to 72 in the implementation of austerity measures,” Indalecio said. “That money they used for the travel could have been used for medical referrals or student scholarships,” he added.
“Do they believe that this trip is beneficial to the CNMI when the exclusive license holder is still facing a lot of legal issues and anything about casino is going down?”
Indalecio wonders if the lawmakers’ trip has the backing of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios who had said that his administration is pivoting away from the Chinese tourism market.
“It seems like their intent is contrary to the governor’s position on the Chinese tourism market,” Indalecio said, referring to the lawmakers.
In a statement, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Ralph N. Yumul said the summit will give CNMI lawmakers an opportunity to meet with casino industry players and learn about Asian online gaming, blockchain, how to generate more value on current platforms as well as the newest trends in the casino industry.
He said the summit will provide them with knowledge “so that we can go back to the table” and discuss how to revive the CNMI casino industry.
Also traveling to Manila for the summit are House Vice Speaker Joel Camacho, Reps. Angelo Camacho, John Paul Sablan, Marissa Flores, Senate Floor Leader Corina Magofna and Sen. Paul A. Manglona.
