Except for Sen. Luis Crisostimo, D-Saipan, all senators voted in favor of Senate Resolution 17-14.
“The people of Saipan have unequivocally expressed their opposition to casino gambling on Saipan by repeatedly rejecting proposed constitutional amendments that would allow such gambling and for the Legislature to enact such legislation would be an explicit disregard to the will of the people, an insult to voters and an affront to the democratic process,” S.R. 17-14 reads.
Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, who sponsored the resolution said the time and resources of the Legislature should be devoted to finding practical solutions to improve the lives of its people, not “subjugating the desires of its people.”
According to the resolution, “The Senate is opposed to legislation that would legalize casino gambling, in any form, on the island of Saipan.”
Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan, has sponsored two Saipan casino legalization bills.
A public hearing will soon be scheduled for the measures which remain pending in the House.
The speaker believes a casino on Saipan will help bring investments and visitors to the island.
