by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Governor Eddie Calvo says he is reviewing all the ingredients that were put into Bill 19 to come up with the end product. "There's a lot of sausage making that occurred over the weekend, so I want our legal team and our policy team to review the bill, look at the details and look at the potential areas where there might be some issues that may need to be addressed either sooner or later," he shared.

Calvo adds he is inclined to support the bill, saying the amendment to ban all forms of gaming on Guam will need further discussion and vetting on what it means for the community as a whole. He adds even if the bill is enacted into law there is still time to address that particular amendment as the hospital's financial issues will not disappear overnight.

Archbishop Anthony Apuron meanwhile is urging Governor Calvo to veto Bill 19. In a release, Apuron says it is possible that the references remaining in the bill to current rules and regs will affect the questioned legality of the rules. He says with the absence of exhibit a capping the GMH vendor liability as intended, this bill might legitimize gambling in perpetuity, directly contrary to the will of the people. He further reminds island leaders that the people of Guam in each and every instance voted no to casino gambling.