Duterte changes tune, says Boracay casino now necessary with gov't out of funds

President Rodrigo Duterte has changed his mind about putting up a gambling house in Boracay Island, adding that it is now necessary to raise government funds.

Admitting that he contradicted his previous pronouncements on gambling, Duterte said opening a gambling house is needed because the government is running out of funds.

"Ngayon 'pag sinabing itong si Duterte: 'Bakit sinabi mong ayaw mo mag-sugal tapos ngayon 'yung sa Boracay, yung gambling house doon ine-encourage mo buksan?'" Duterte said in his second Cabinet briefing this week.

"Patawarin po ninyo ako for the contradiction. Ngayon po wala tayong pera. Kung saan man tayo makakuha ng pera kukunin ko. Kung diyan sa gambling so be it," he added.

"Wala akong isang salita diyan (gambling) pero kailangan ko ng pera para patakbuhin ang gobyerno," Duterte said.

In 2018, Duterte criticized officials of  Nayong Pilipino Foundation for granting a gambling franchise, adding that he will not allow more casinos "outside of what is existing."

Last July, the President said he was in favor of raising government funds from Philippine Offshore Gaming Corporations (POGO) and casinos.

He made the pronouncement because the government needed more funding for the pandemic response. —NB, GMA News