Philippine Trade Official Recommends Casino Development
The Philippines are trying to find ways to increase foreign investment in the country, and the development of gambling and casino laws might be the attraction they need, according to the country's trade secretary. This morning, Secretary Favila spoke to the nation's House of Representatives, arguing that an area designated as a gaming complex is what the Philippines need to stay competitive with neighbors like Singapore and Malaysia.
Gambling is a subject of much turmoil in the Philippines. Archbishop Oscar Cruz of the Catholic Church has spoken out harshly against the existing gambling, which is mostly lottery-based, as well as any attempts to bring casino gaming to the country. The Archbishop takes the stance that gambling is a scourge of the poor, despite the lottery being promoted as a way to raise charitable donations from the middle class, and casino projects being aimed to bring revenues from wealthy foreigners.
Favila pointed out that the Philippines took in only $2 billion in international investments in 2007, while both Singapore and Malaysia amassed between $8 billion to $10 billion. He attributed the difference directly to ongoing casino developments in the other countries.
The Archbishop wrote against current plans for a $15 gaming zone to be created by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the state arm that also runs the lottery, saying, "These official gambling houses do not only cater to those who crave for the money of everybody else, but in effect provide for the making of gambling addicts, for their commission of different crimes to sustain their vice of gambling -- to the extent of doing away with own families.”
These unsupported statements, without benefit of research or objective examination, could have come directly from Chad Hills and Focus on the Family. If the Archbishop would stick to discussing what he could substantiate, the people of the Philippines might find their fortunes rising.
