SCUTTLEBUTT

Democracy with aircon

Aside from schools, SM malls strategically located nationwide will be centers for the ballot exercise, which is expected to encourage more voters to come out amid the scorching weather.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has partnered with SM Supermalls, owned by the Sy family, to designate certain malls as alternative polling centers.

These malls are located in Metro Manila and key cities across Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Unlike traditional polling precincts, which are typically public schools, these malls offer modern amenities like air-conditioned spaces, food courts and retail and entertainment options. However, eligibility is restricted: only voters from barangays in the same district as the mall can vote there, meaning the initiative will not be nationwide.

The goal appears to be to improve the voter experience by addressing the common pain points of voting, such as overcrowded, hot, and poorly ventilated school classrooms. By making voting more comfortable and convenient, Comelec aims to incentivize turnout, especially among demographics that logistical challenges might otherwise deter.

The Philippines’ tropical climate makes voting in poorly ventilated schools physically taxing, especially for elderly voters and those with health issues.

Malls provide a cooler, more comfortable setting, which should encourage participation.

SM malls are typically well-connected to public transport and centrally located in urban areas, unlike remote or poorly accessible school precincts, thus reducing the travel barrier for eligible voters.

The proximity to shopping, dining, and entertainment would also make voting a “day out” rather than a chore. For younger voters, the prospect of combining voting with a movie or a milk tea run would add a fun, social element to their civic duty.

Voter turnout has historically been high, with 75.9 percent for the 2022 national elections, based on Comelec data, and 81.7 percent for the 2016 midterms.

However, turnout can vary by region and demographic, with urban areas sometimes showing lower participation due to apathy or logistical issues.

Studies on voter behavior, such as that by the Asian Institute of Management, suggest that convenience factors, such as proximity to polling stations and shorter waiting times, positively correlate with turnout.

Public perception of the Sy (a powerful business dynasty) family’s influence could fuel skepticism, particularly if the scheme is seen as favoring urban, middle-class voters over others.

Other nations, such as South Korea, have adopted malls as voting centers. Reports suggest a higher turnout in urban areas due to the convenience.

In the United States, voting in community centers and commercial spaces such as stadiums has been piloted in some states, with mixed results.

While convenience boosted turnout in some cases, logistical issues like parking and navigation sometimes offset gains.

The SM mall voting scheme has strong potential to encourage a higher voter turnout among eligible voters in participating districts, particularly younger, urban, and middle-class demographics who value comfort and convenience.

Bloomberry’s bet: Online gaming

Bloomberry Resorts Corp., the operator of Solaire Resort & Casino, is doubling down on digital gaming and pushing ahead with property expansion to offset the vacuum left by the once-lucrative offshore gaming.

Chairman and CEO Enrique K. Razon Jr. said the company is on track to launch its online gaming platform within the first half as it seeks to tap new revenue sources.

“Our online business is running and undergoing extensive testing. We are on track for a full launch around the end of May, early June,” Razon said.

Bloomberry stated in its latest annual report that the upcoming platform is designed to compete directly with other electronic gaming license holders, including BingoPlus of DigiPlus, one of the current leaders in the online gaming space.

The company’s digital shift comes alongside the ongoing ramp-up of Solaire Resort North in Quezon City, which Razon said is showing steady progress.

The strategy to recover the loss of POGO revenue since the ban in July of last year is by ramping up business for Solaire North and Solaire Entertainment City in Parañaque, coupled with an expected economic growth.

“The strategy of aggressively pursuing online business is how we intend to recover whatever lost revenue there was,” Razon said.

Solaire North’s revenues are improving every month and getting closer to profitability, though the company has yet to set a definitive timeline.

“We cannot say exactly when it will return to profitability, but it’s getting closer and closer. Hopefully, as soon as possible, we will be in profitability, similar to how it was in Solaire Entertainment City in 2013,” he said.