As 2025 draws to a close, Philippine-listed company Suntrust Resort Holdings has made a critical adjustment to its board of directors. The company announced the appointment of Yip Ho Chi and Lam Hung Tuan as new directors, effective December 26, replacing two former directors who resigned for personal reasons. The core goal of this personnel reshuffle is very clear: to inject new momentum into the repeatedly delayed, $1.25 billion Westside City integrated resort project, ensuring its scheduled debut in the third quarter of 2026 in Manila's Entertainment City.
The "hardcore" backgrounds of the two new directors
New director Yip Ho Chi, 56, currently also serves as the company's Chief Financial Officer. His resume is quite impressive, with over 20 years of experience as a CFO in companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, not just on paper. He has worked for SA Holdings, now renamed Crypto Flow Technology's MelcoLot, and Sandmartin International Holdings, and earlier accumulated eight years of auditing experience at Deloitte, also well-versed in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). He is also a senior member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in the UK, with a solid financial foundation.
Another new director, Lam Hung Tuan, 48, is an Australian national. He currently serves as the executive director of LET Group Holdings Limited and has over twenty years of deep experience in the information technology field, especially in gaming operations. His previous senior role in a company focused on gaming technology development will undoubtedly bring a professional perspective to the technological applications and gaming business operations of the Westside City project.
Westside City Project: A long journey, finally seeing the dawn
The backdrop of this board change is Suntrust's full-force push of the Westside City project. This massive complex, integrating a casino, hotel, and entertainment facilities, has faced multiple delays since its planning, truly a journey of ups and downs. Now, the project finally has a clear timeline—aiming to officially open its doors in the third quarter of 2026.
To achieve this goal, financial security is also being followed up simultaneously. According to earlier reports, as one of the investors, Philippine Travelers International Hotel Group and its partner Suntrust, have planned to invest up to an additional $450 million to ensure the project's final completion.
Strategic considerations behind the personnel changes
Adjusting the executive layer at the final sprint stage of the project, Suntrust's intention is obvious. On one hand, introducing Yip Ho Chi, an expert proficient in capital markets and financial management, helps provide solid security in the project's later-stage financing, cost control, and potential local market operations. On the other hand, Lam Hung Tuan's expertise in gaming technology and operations is exactly what the core profit sector of the integrated resort urgently needs. Their combination perfectly covers the two key dimensions of "funds" and "operations," laying a dual foundation for the project's smooth opening and subsequent successful operation.
For observers interested in the dynamics of the Asian gambling and integrated resort industry, Suntrust's move marks a substantial acceleration phase for its Westside City project. For more similar global industry company strategies and project progress analysis, consider following more updates from PASA's official website.
————
This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders," a gambling industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
Original in-depth gambling channel:https://t.me/gamblingdeep
Free data reports: @pasa_research
PASA Matrix: @pasa002_bot
PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
