Philippines' diocese Up in Arms Against a New Administrative Region and a Casino in the Provincial Capital

Church officials are to link up with other sectors to protest against a move to establish a casino on the outskirts of Dumaguete City, the provincial capital of the Negros Oriental in the Philippines.

Negros Oriental is a tourist hub for its natural attractions like waterfalls, captivating coastlines, lush forests and abundant marine life. The capital, Dumaguete, a seaside city of more than 134,100 people, adds to the allure of the province for its proximity to Cebu City, friendly people and cultural tradition.  Dumaguete hosts four universities and several colleges, earning it the moniker “university town” and being the overall educational and cultural center of Negros Oriental.

The seemingly peaceful nature of this “city of gentle people” was upended on March 4, 2023, after former military personnel massacred 10 people, including Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, in Pamplona town.  The grisly crime was perpetrated by former Army personnel allegedly under the control of former 3rd District Congressman Arnolfo Teves, Jr.  After fleeing, Teves fled and went into hiding in Timor Leste. Congress subsequently expelled him on August 16, 2023.

Philippine authorities are now working on his deportation to face the criminal justice system.  Degamo’s widow, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, considered this a step towards the attainment of justice.

But peace and quiet seem elusive for Negros Oriental.

The current bone of contention is a Philippine congressional action that seeks to unite Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental into a single administrative body to form the Negros Island Region. 

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., expressed approval for the creation of NIR but Bishop Julito Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete is against it and asked President Marcos to veto the bill. 

On April 10, 2024, Bishop Cortes published an open letter on the diocesan social media page. In the open letter, Bishop Cortes said the opposition of the Catholic church in Negros Oriental is “borne not of mere dissent but out of a sense of duty for the future of their beloved province.”

Meanwhile, the Diocese of Dumaguete is also up in arms against the plan of a gaming corporation to set up a casino on the outskirts of Dumaguete City.

The move by Southern Lights Gaming Corporation to set up a casino in barangay Batinguel surfaced only after Mayor Felipe Remollo endorsed a letter from the gaming company to the city council.  Dated April 5, 2024, the letter asked the local chief executive for a “Resolution of No Objection” from the City Council for the proposed establishment of a casino.  The council has yet to act on the proposal, which is pending review by the Committee on Gaming and Franchises. 

Interviewed by Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), Monsignor Julius Heruela, parish priest of St. Nicolas de Tolentino of Dauin town and member of the Board of Consultors of the Diocese of Dumaguete, said they did not know that the plan of Southern Lights Gaming Corporation to set up a casino has now reached the offices of the city mayor and the city council. 

“We were caught by surprise,” Monsignor Heruela said.

Msgr. Heruela, who is also convenor of the Diocesan Electoral Board of the Diocese of Dumaguete and a member of the Diocesan Circle of Discernment, said the diocese will oppose the setting up of a casino because it is “immoral” and disadvantageous to society.

He revealed that the diocese will link up with other sectors, notably universities and colleges around Dumaguete and Negros Oriental for a province-wide information campaign against gambling.

“The people should be informed about the pros and cons of the move to set up a casino,” Monsignor Heruela said in Cebuano.

Asked why the gaming corporation would choose Barangay Batinguel to set up a casino, Monsignor Heruela said the village is not too far from the city. Tourists staying in Dumaguete can easily make a quick trip to Batinguel, he explained.

“Casino operators are trying to lure tourists who might be looking for other forms of entertainment,” Monsignor Heruela said.  He revealed that a five-star hotel resort in Cebu City that integrates gambling among its amenities has already put up signage around a shopping mall, announcing that it will open soon in Dumaguete City.

Reports say the opposition against the establishment of a casino is gaining ground among educators, environmentalists and businessmen in the province.  Dumaguete Councilor Karissa Tolentino Maxino has expressed her objection, according to a report by the Philippine News Agency.

In the meantime, Monsignor Heruela has expressed his protest via social media.  The post garnered some “likes” and comments, with one saying that the slain governor, Roel Degamo, was very much against the plan to put up a casino in Negros Oriental.