CLARK FREEPORT –– The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has served a cease and desist order (CDO) against Fontana Development Corporation (FDC).
The CDO was signed by CDC President and CEO Noel F. Manankil and took effect immediately, pending investigations by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The CDC followed an order from Malacañang on December 3, 2016 “to cause the immediate closure and cessation of operations of the Fontana Leisure Park and Casino.”
The directive, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, orders a probe into the casino’s “illegal or unlicensed gaming operations and employment of aliens without the proper permits in the said premises, in violation of Philippine anti-gambling, labor, and immigration laws.”
Aside from the cease and desist order, CDC also suspended the Certificate of Registration and Tax Exemption (CORTE), the equivalent of Business/Mayor’s Permits issued by local government units. The documents were personally received by Dennis Pak, Fontana General Manager.
CDC also clarified that it is not taking over the complex as speculated, and will support the conduct of investigations by DOJ.
(Displaced workers)
Meanwhile, some 500 workers were displaced following the closure of the Fontana Casino last Sunday, with only 18 days to go before Christmas.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) served the closure order.
On Saturday, Duterte ordered the arrest of Jack Lam, chairman of the Jimei Group which operates Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino for allegations of bribery and economic sabotage.
Lam allegedly tried to bribe Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and Pagcor chairperson Andrea Domingo to release more than 1,300 Chinese national arrested during an operation against illegal online gambling inside the leisure parks last November 24.
Based on the records of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Lam left the country on November 29, five days after the BI operation.
The casino was temporarily closed “pending the investigation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) of illegal or unlicensed online gaming operations and employment of aliens without proper permits which is a violation of the anti-illegal gambling, labor and immigration laws.”
Aside from Fontana Casino, Mr. Duterte ordered the closure of the Fort Ilocandia Casino, which is also operated by the Jimei Group.