Palace: Boracay closure to push through; no casino construction

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. YANCY LIM / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Malacañang has dismissed the move of two lawmakers to investigate the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to close Boracay island for six months.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed a resolution asking the Senate committee on tourism, headed by Senator Nancy Binay, to probe the island’s closure.

READ: Trillanes to Boracay residents: Seek TRO at SC vs island closure / 

Trillanes alleged that Boracay would be shut down for six months to allow and rush the construction of a casino on the island.

READ: Trillanes seeks probe to uncover plan behind Boracay closure

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate also filed House Resolution No. 1806 on April 3, saying the lower Chamber, through committees on natural resources and ecology, “must step in to prevent any more damage to Boracay and to the people relying on the commerce of the island.”

READ: Solon files resolution to probe Boracay closure, casino establishment

Zarate said it was “ironic and intriguing” that despite President Duterte’s closure order for six months, the government allowed the entry and construction of a mega casino-resort in Boracay.

But Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque insisted that a casino would not be built in Boracay.

President Duterte said on Monday, before flying to China, that he was against the construction of a casino in Boracay and would convert the island into a land reform area after its rehabilitation.

READ: Duterte against building of casino in Boracay

“Boracay closed to tourists and no casinos in Boracay. Period,” Roque said in a message to reporters.

INQUIRER.net has sought for clarification from Roque whether he meant that no casino would be built during the six-month closure of the island or the President was banning the construction of casino in Boracay during his term.

The Palace official has yet to respond as of posting time. /jpv

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