Kuchinu na casinos?

It is unfortunate that Public Laws 18-38 and 18-43 (the “Saipan casino law”) were both railroaded through the 18th Legislature and then quickly signed into law by Gov. Eulogio Inos despite the constitutional and statutory infirmities that the Saipan casino law suffers from, and despite the fact that the public’s input and opinion were totally disregarded.

Worse, the Lottery Commission has proven to the whole world that it lacks the competence to implement the Saipan casino law.  First, the Lottery Commission rejected Marianas Stars’ application because Marianas Stars was “late” in depositing the $30 million in escrow, which left Best Sunshine standing to be the exclusive licensee.

What’s disturbing about the rejection is that the Lottery Commission was so sure that it was following the law, only to backpedal on its earlier decision and, almost as if out of thin air, the Lottery Commission “reinstated” Marianas Star.  Worse, the Lottery Commission gave Marianas Star 48 days to deposit the $30 million in escrow, even though the Saipan casino law gave casino license applicants 45 days only to submit the $30 million deposit. I am pretty sure Best Sunshine must be furious by now.

Second, the Lottery Commission starts to illegally spend the nonrefundable application fees to enter into a contract with a casino investigator and gaming consultant to investigate the applicants.  The Saipan casino law at Sections 107(e) and 208(b), however, gave the Commonwealth Casino Commission, not the Lottery Commission, the sole authority to spend the application fees and to do investigation on any of the applicants.

Needless to say, the manner in which the Saipan casino law was passed, and the manner in which the Lottery Commission has been illegally behaving, is anything but transparent and accountable.

But let’s not forget who got us into this Saipan casino fiasco. Remember when Eulogio Inos and Rep. Ralph Demapan went on a “fact-finding” mission to meet with “investors”? Then another group also hopped on a private plane to go to Hong Kong? Of course, it didn’t end there, because when they all came back, the Saipan casino law was passed in a hurry.

I challenge those that voted yes to the Saipan casino law to voluntarily sign an affidavit that he or she did not receive anything of value above $50 in exchange for his or her yes vote. This is important, because should the Lottery Commission fail to give the exclusive casino license to Best Sunshine, Best Sunshine can start singing songs about who received what.

My prediction though is that Best Sunshine will get the exclusive casino license, as planned.

Jesus I. Taisague
Koblerville, Saipan