THE Baguio City Council has approved a resolution allowing electronic bingo in the city.

The resolution, passed on Monday, gives Rafael Tabora permission to put an e-bingo outlet at the Centerpoint Plaza on Marcos Highway.

Another resolution opposing the opening of the e-bingo outlet was voted down but not after a heated debate.

Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda questioned the haste in which her colleagues approve the e-bingo resolution.

Councilor Elmer Datuin, who sided with Tabanda, said there are existing ordinances that expressly ban gambling.

Tabanda said that last year, a business permit was issued to Tabora to run an e-bingo operation, and nine councilors signed a resolution expressing no objection to it.

Tabora used the permit and resolution to have the Philippine Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) authorize his e-bingo outlet.

Tabanda said Romeo Chong of RCC Global Entertainment Inc. and Alejandro Almonte of Highland Gaming Corporation had also wanted to put up an e-bingo outlet, but the council seem to have favored Tabora.

The resolution favoring Tabora’s e-bingo outlet was approved by an 8 to 4 vote.