The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) said the contract of the third-party auditor for Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO) has been under review since September last year.
In a statement, Pagcor said that its contract with Global ComRCI, the third-party auditor for offshore licensees, was put under review after the new leadership took over in August 2022.
However, Pagcor also defended Global ComRCI, saying the service provider went through proper bidding process and met all the legal requirements under the procurement law.
“With the assumption of the new leadership of PAGCOR, the contract of Global ComRCI was put under review last September 2022. We assure the Senators that the review will soon be finished and released at the proper time,” the agency said.
“We have been in contact with Global ComRCI and are currently assessing the contract’s terms and conditions and the company’s performance,” it added.
Meanwhile, Pagcor said it has been closely monitoring the cases filed by the Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) against MOA Cloudzone Corp. (MCZ), a Pasay-based Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator service provider.
To recall, the Department of Justice (DOJ) already dismissed charges against MOA Cloudzone on Nov. 15, 2022.
MOA Cloudzone Corporate Counsel Ronald Aala said a four-man panel of DOJ prosecutors found no probable cause or any evidence of the firm’s involvement in the alleged trafficking of POGO workers.
“We are coordinating with the PNP and other agencies regarding this matter,” Pagcor said.
“PAGCOR wishes to reiterate that it does not take these reports lightly and it will ensure that all gaming licensees abide by the law,” the agency added.
PAGCOR also reassured the public that it is conscientiously looking into the matter and will take the necessary actions, including the cancellation of licenses and service provider accreditations, if found warranted.
On Wednesday, Pagcor said there have been no reported criminal activities or kidnapping-related incidents of workers in the offshore licensing industry for over three months.
This came as a result of the inter-agency cooperation meeting held last September involving Pagcor, PNP, National Bureau of Investigation, DOJ, and Department of Interior and Local Government to combat illegal gaming operations, including offshore gaming.