Baguio group prepares for campaign vs e-bingo

THE BAGUIO-Benguet Ecumenical Group, an organization of the clergy and laity, is readying a formal complaint against electronic bingo (e-bingo) games in the city. The complaint will be handed to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) by Catholic priest Manny Flores and will also be sent to the 14-member Baguio City council. The group sees it as the first phase of a fight against gambling in the city, where at least five applications for e-bingo outlets have been approved by the city council. “I am frustrated and sad that our leaders could not make a stand (against gambling),” said Mr. Flores, adding that the group is preparing a signature campaign to overturn the approvals. The campaign comes amid allegations that the two e-bingo operators — Bingo Palace Corp. and Highland Gaming Corp. — share an office address and an officer. — philstar.com