Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC chief executive officer Donald R. Browne stated that the CNMI government\u2019s actions are causing them to think that it does not want them here. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s word on the street that there are already three or four other people lined up to take our livelihood away. We can\u2019t stand for that,\u201d said Browne during a meeting last Wednesday with members of the House of Representatives Gaming Committee, which Rep. Ralph Yumul (R-Saipan) chairs. <\/p>\n
That uncertainty whether IPI will retain its casino gaming license is also putting a wrench on a reopening plan for the casino, Browne said. \u201cWe can run a hotel, I\u2019m sure. But we came here for gaming,\u201d he pointed out in response to the questions and concerns raised by Rep. Joseph Lee Pan Guerrero (R-Saipan). <\/p>\n
For now, Guerrero said, he is still unsure about supporting IPI\u2019s bid to reopen its casino, citing the company\u2019s involvement in so many court proceedings. \u201cI don\u2019t know where you guys are in these court proceedings right now,\u201d said the lawmaker, noting that IPI has been sued left and right on matters pertaining to non-payment of services. Guerrero said there is also concern about employees not getting paid. \u201cHow\u2019s that addressed?\u201d<\/p>\n
Most of all, though, Guerrero said he\u2019d like to know what plan IPI has with reopening the casino. He wonders how IPI is going to survive if it can\u2019t bring in the gamblers. \u201cWho\u2019s [going to] patronize [the casino]? Are we looking at the locals? Because I don\u2019t see that\u2019s going to happen. So what is IPI\u2019s plan when it does open?\u201d the lawmaker asked.<\/p>\n
He clarified, though, that he fully supports the intent of having a casino industry because of its economic impact. He said the casino industry gave the CNMI a huge hope to revive its economy because the CNMI\u2019s only industry, the tourism industry, was at the time suffering from other competing destinations. That was one of the rationale behind his initial support of the casino industry, he said. As the time goes on, though, Guerrero said the casino industry was not moving in the right direction and that the casino license agreement went through so many amendments.<\/p>\n
Now he wants to know about IPI\u2019s plan on how revive this casino industry and what\u2019s IPI\u2019s game plan if Gov. Ralph DLG Torres allows them to reopen the casino. \u201cIs there a plan in motion? We, as the committee, want to hear,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Browne said they understand the frustration of the lawmaker, who has been a supporter of the casino industry. \u201cOur labor issues are the same as everybody else\u2019s labor issues right now,\u201d said the CEO, adding that their reopening plans are essentially the same as everybody else\u2019s right now. \u201cIt\u2019s unknown [due] to a number of factors.\u201d <\/p>\n
Browne said the reopening plans are also contingent upon many things such as the relationship between the Trump administration and China.<\/p>\n
He said the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands stated that most of the hotels will probably not open until May 2021 because of the lack of airlines. <\/p>\n
With respect to its foreign workers, Browne said if they send them back to their home country, they don\u2019t have to pay them but, as long as they\u2019re here, they\u2019re IPI employees so they have to pay them even if they don\u2019t open.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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