Las Piñas City Representative Mark Anthony Santos has come out swinging against a planned $1-billion twin integrated casino resort in the city — a flagship project tied to the Villar family’s vast business empire.
Santos urged a shift toward development anchored in sustainability, inclusivity, and ethics, warning that the venture would turn Las Piñas into a gambling hotspot.
“Economic growth should uplift — not exploit — our people. We can create jobs and attract investors without turning our city into a gambling hub,” he stressed.
The project, unveiled in July 2024 by billionaire Manny Villar, will begin with a casino at the refurbished 18,000-square-meter Vista Mall Global South along the controversial C5 Extension. It is spearheaded by Vertex Entertainment and Resorts Corp., a subsidiary of Villar’s Prime Asset Ventures Inc.
Santos pointed out that residents are already surrounded by four world-class integrated casinos in neighboring Parañaque, just a 5–10 minute drive away.
“These world-class casinos are a 5- to 10-minute drive from Las Piñas. Why duplicate them here? This is corporate greed, not community development,” he said.
The lawmaker vowed to use every legal and legislative tool available to block the project, working alongside community stakeholders, religious leaders, and civic groups to challenge casino permits and approvals.