AN EXECUTIVE order (EO) is needed to implement President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s “no casino policy” in Boracay, Malacañang said yesterday, confirming an earlier recommendation by the Justice department. “I think so, yes,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a press briefing on Monday. “The policy of the President is there should be no gambling casino inside Boracay because he feels that this is a family thing. Families go there, and he doesn’t want that there will be gambling inside Boracay,” he explained. Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra had earlier recommended to the Office of the President to issue an EO. “Based on a review of the applicable law and jurisprudence, this department is of the opinion that the issuance of an EO would be the most expedient and effective means of halting the operation of casinos and implementing a no-casino policy in Boracay,” Mr. Guevarra said in his recommendation letter last Oct. 8. — Arjay L. Balinbin

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