AN ILLEGAL poker room raided by police in Cagayan de Oro last year wants to operate again, this time with government permit.

The establishment is located inside the residence of former Misamis Oriental governor Antonio P. Calingin in 14th Street, Barangay Macasandig.

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Calingin's son, Andy, was among the 20 persons arrested when it was raided by the police in August last year.

While Andy Calingin was tagged as one of the partners in the raided establishment, his name does not appear in the application submitted at the City Council Friday.

Instead, a certain Dennis Ko Ong applied a permit to operate a poker room inside 14th Sports Bar, the business name given in the application.

Poker establishments get their primary permit from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), but are required to get a business permit from City Hall, which issues permits upon recommendation of the City Council.

Councilor Adrian L. Barba, chairman of the Games and Amusement committee, said they will review Ong's application if it complies with the requirements of the law.

An ordinance prohibits games and amusement establishments within 300 meters of schools and churches.

"We will also consider the social acceptance factor, meaning we will get the feedback of the neighborhood if they are amenable to the establishment of this poker establishment," Councilor Barba told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Ong's poker room has already secured a barangay permit to, the councilor added.

A 2008 ordinance regulates poker houses.

Cagayan de Oro has four existing poker houses located in Pearlmont Hotel in Santo Niño Street, BES chicken in Kauswagan Highway, Koresco Hotel in Barangay Lumbia, and Mindy's in Velez-Yacapin junction.

Barba underscored the regulation of poker houses to prevent illegal establishments from sprouting in the city. He called on residents to report illegal poker houses in the city.

Poker is a popular card game, or group of card games, in which players compete against one another by gambling on the values of each player's hand and betting into a central pot. (Nicole J. Managbanag)