Rama says no to poker room in Crown Regency

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama has vetoed a resolution of the previous City Council authorizing the operation of a poker room in the Crown Regency Hotel in Fuente Osmeña.

However, the impact of the veto is debatable.

Mayor Rama did not state the reason for his objection in his veto letter dated July 4.

The veto was referred yesterday to the laws committee chaired by Councilor Sisinio Andales .

A vote of 3/4 of the 17-member City Council is needed to override the mayor’s veto.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said that the laws committee has to look into two issues: whether there are legal consequences of any action by the 13th City Council on legislation passed by the 12th City Council, and to determine if indeed the July 4 letter sent by Rama to the council was a veto letter.

Mayor Rama clarified in his press conference after the session that his July 4 letter was indeed a veto to express his objection to new gambling operations in the city.

Asked if he is against all forms of gambling, Rama said, he would agree to gambling operations allowed by the national government.

Meanwhile, City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete said action on the mayor’s veto was no longer necessary.

“It died a natural death when the 12th City Council ended,” he said.