CA permanently stops jai alai operations

The Court of Appeals has nullified a lower court's orders that favored Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation from operating jai alai gaming and betting stations. In a 34-page ruling decision penned by outgoing CA Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes, the appellate court's Special Third Division permanently stopped the enforcement of the Aparri Regional Trial Court's orders allowing Meridien to operate within the Cagayan Freeport Zone. The decision is a follow-up to its earlier resolution that temporarily restrained Meridien's operations. Meridien is the only entity that has the license to operate jai alai betting and gaming stations within the freeport zone, the only area where the game can be played legally. The CA's Special Third Division granted the petition of the state-run Games and Amusements Board (GAB) to void the Aparri court's four orders that favored Meridien. “Wherefore in view of the foregoing, the instant petition is granted. The assailed orders issued by the RTC on March 21 and 23, April 7 and May 2, 2011 are reversed and set aside. Accordingly, MVGC’s complaint for injunction filed with the RTC is dismissed," the CA division said. The ruling was promulgated last August 18, Thursday, a day before Reyes was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III to the Supreme Court. Reyes is expected to take his oath of office as a new high court magistrate on Monday. Concurring with the ruling are Special Third Division members Associate Justices Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Samuel Gaerlan. Gov't crackdown on illegal jai alai ops The latest CA decision, which delivered a legal blow to Meridien's legal operations, is different from the decision that temporarily halted the government's campaign to dismantle off-fronton jai alai betting and gaming stations, which are those found outside the Cagayan Freeport Zone. Last July 22, a separate division, the CA's Special Sixth Division, issued a 60-day TRO to prevent the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) from enforcing a joint memorandum order directing law enforcement bodies to crack down on illegal jai alai operations. The CA's Special Sixth Division said the joint DOJ-DILG memo will cause imminent and irreparable injury and grave injustice to Meridien. "This court finds it imperative to issue a TRO valid for sixty (60) days. Accordingly, respondents (DOJ Sec. Leila De Lima and DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo) and all persons acting for them and on their behalf, from or under their instructions, are hereby enjoined from executing, enforcing, implementing or otherwise giving effect to the assailed joint DOJ-DILG Memorandum Circular dated June 27, 2011," the resolution read. — KBK, GMA News