Philippines's Children Rights and Gambling

Philippine child rights champion
Child rights champion, Senator Jamby Madrigal has contested the right of CEZ's (Cagayan Economic Zone) Port Irene to regulate its own gambling laws.

According to Madrigal, who currently heads several foundations aimed at increasing awareness of the plight of street children, there is no reason why CEZ gambling operations should not be under the control of the national Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

Kid's games
Yet stripping the CEZ of its autonomous gambling status won't be child's play. In an interview with the Kid's Champ, Madrigal admitted that the CEZ Authority (CEZA) has defended its legal right to issue online gambling licenses to offshore companies without Pagcor's approval.

CEZA claims that according to Republic Act No. 7922, authored in 1995 by then Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile, CEZA may "operate on its own, either directly or through a subsidiary entity, or license to others, tourism-related activities, including games, amusements, recreational and sports facilities such as horse racing, dog racing, gambling casinos, golf courses and others, under priorities and standards set by the CEZA."

Big boys
CEZA procured 110 million Philippine Pesos (PHP) in revenue last year, 90% of which Madrigal claims came from the casinos. This figure is expected to skyrocket to PHP200 million by the end of 2008, mainly due to the efforts of CEZA to plug Port Irene as the Asian hub of gambling.