Ayuyu, Ind.-Rota, blamed this reporter for “misquoting” him about his stand on the controversial issue.
It was Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, who asked Ayuyu to explain Variety’s headline on Wednesday, quoting Ayuyu as saying that “nobody in the Senate is saying they are opposing it,” referring to Saipan casino, when they met with Gov. Benigno R. Fitial on Monday.
Ayuyu’s statement was recorded on tape.
He apologized to his colleagues, saying he was misquoted and that his statement was taken “out of context.”
He said he never intended to drag anyone in the Senate into his own opinion about the casino issue.
After explaining himself to his colleagues, the Rota senator then turned to this reporter in the gallery and said: “I thank that our good friend from Variety is here tonight. I am requesting you to please in future interviews please make sure that you quote me right.”
Manglona said the Senate understands that in these times of economic crisis, “everything has to be on the table.”
But he said the Senate is also concerned about the position of people on Saipan who had voted twice against casino legalization on their island.
Instead of supporting something that the majority of the people oppose, Manglona said, the Legislature should come up with other ideas that may help the economy recover.
The Senate president said they will also support any investor interested to do business on Tinian and Rota.
Both islands have casinos that are struggling.
After the session, Ayuyu approached this reporter and reiterated he was just speaking for himself when he said that he was considering the governor’s plea to be “realistic” regarding the Saipan casino issue.
