Philippine lawmakers probe casino construction, closure of Boracay Island

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to close the Philippine island oasis of Boracay has opened a box of problems for Macau-based casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG).

The Philippine Star reported that a senator and a member of the Philippine House of Representatives have filed twin resolutions seeking to investigate the six-month closure of Boracay as well as the approval of casino construction in the island.

On Tuesday, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a staunch critic of Duterte, filed a resolution seeking to investigate the Philippine president’s order to shut down Boracay, claiming that the directive was made to facilitate the start of the construction of GEG’s $500 million integrated resort on the island.

Trillanes also called out Duterte on his alleged bluff that Boracay island will be converted into an agricultural zone under the country’s land reform program, saying that farming isn’t suitable in the country’s major tourist destination.