Jai alai operator offers compromise deal with govt

Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation, whose authority to operate jai alai games was temporarily revoked, has offered state-owned Games and Amusements Board (GAB) a compromise agreement to allow the private firm to resume the games which are known more for their off-fronton betting stations than their pelotari or players. Meridien is the sole Philippine gaming firm that has a license and franchise from the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) to operate jai alai betting and gaming stations within the Cagayan Freeport Zone. In a letter last July 1, Meridien's lawyers Raymond Fortun and Angelo Santos suggested a negotiation in connection with GAB's issuance of a cease and desist order that halted the firm's operations in March. GAB's stay order was upheld by the Court of Appeals last June 27. In its letter addressed to GAB chair Juan Ramon Guanzon, Meridien said it is willing to comply with the Board's requirements for the operation of jai alai games. "Without delving into the actual merits of the cases, we would like to inform your office that our client is willing to enter into a Joint Compromise Agreeement in order to amicably settle the issues once and for all," Meridien's lawyers said. The lawyers then inquired from the GAB what requirements their client has to comply with before Meridien could fully operate with its business, asking further that the cease and desist order be lifted for the meantime pending the firm’s compliance with such requirements. Meridien also requested for a status quo on its business operation until such a compromise agreement is made. In response, GAB said that Meridien's offer was being studied. "Please be informed that [your] letter has been referred to the Board for deliberation appropriate action," said Board chair Guanzon in a letter to Meridien dated July 8. Legal battle Last March 3, GAB issued a cease and desist order that directed Meridien and all owners of jai alai betting stations to stop operating the games within the 54,000 Cagayan Freeport Zone, the only area where jai alai can be played. The Board said the firm has no authority to operate jai alai games and should first acquire a legislative franchise from the Senate and the House and Representatives for it to run jai alai betting and gaming stations legitimately. But Meridien took GAB to the Aparri Regional Trial Court, which later ruled in favor of the gaming firm. In a resolution, the Aparri court allowed Meridien to operate within the Cagayan free port. Seeking to overturn the trial court's order, the Games and Amusements Board, represented by lawyers from the Office of the Solilcitor General, appealed the case to the Court of Appeals. Last June 27, the appellate court issued a 60-day temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking Meridien's jai alai operations. While the TRO remains in effect and while the case remains pending before the Court of Appeals, Meridien then offered GAB the joint compromise deal last July 1. —MRT/KBK, GMA News