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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Gatchalian: Senate to pursue probe on POGOs despite termination of PAGCOR, third party auditor contract

Gatchalian: Senate to pursue probe on POGOs despite termination of PAGCOR, third party auditor contract

Published Mar 12, 2023 03:57 am
The Senate will continue to investigate all the key players in the anomalous transaction between the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Global ComRCI despite the latter’s termination of the contract as it third-party auditor for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGOs. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate ways and means committee, pointed this out following reports of PAGCOR’s decision to terminate its contract with Global ComRCI. Last Thursday, March 9, the state gaming regulator issued a notice to terminate the consultancy contract with the said company “after careful investigation” and in accordance to Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Act. PAGCOR also said it will explore all legal remedies needed to run after Global ComRCI which the Senate panel found had been awarded the contract based on a spurious bank certificate. “The PAGCOR’s decision to terminate its consultancy contract with Global ComRCI after it was deemed to have committed unlawful acts is a welcome development, validating the findings made by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means of anomalies committed by Global ComRCI,” Gatchalian said in a statement. “The move will certainly save the government a considerable amount of money that otherwise would have been spent on a spurious company like Global ComRCI,” he said. “The Senate will continue to investigate all the key players of the anomalous transaction and will recommend the filing of appropriate charges against erring officials from  PAGCOR and Global ComRCI as a third-party auditor of POGO revenues,” the senator pointed out. Gatchalian further expressed hope that other questionable activities in the gaming industry will be corrected, especially since PAGCOR was negligent in studying the documents related to it. “Those responsible for contracting third-party auditors who lack sufficient technical and financial capacity should be held accountable,” the lawmaker stressed.

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POGOs Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian Pagcor Senate Ways and Means
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