Senators on Sunday, June 30 called on Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairman and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco to name the former official who he said attempted to expedite the approval of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) licenses during the past administration.
“Pangalanan na ‘yan! Wala naman po tayo sa showbiz kaya hindi naman kailangan magpa-blind item (Just name the person! We’re not in show business for us to make a blind item),” Sen. Joel Villanueva said in a statement.
“Kailangan pong malaman ng taumbayan ang katotohanan at panagutin ang mga nagtutulak sa bayan sa kumunoy ng kaguluhan (The people needs to know the truth and to make accountable those who push the nation to chaos),” he added.
Villanueva also said the revelation made by the Pagcor chief should be enough proof to permanently ban POGOs in the country.
“They have infiltrated not only the business and gaming industries but also our government, allegedly with local and even high-ranking officials serving as their protectors,” Villanueva pointed out.
“Our duty as public servants is not to protect these illegal activities, but to put our people’s welfare as our main priority,” he added.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III also urged the official to disclose the identity of the former official.
“To be fair to all former cabinet members, Pagcor should reveal the identity of this person, also so that he or she can defend self,” Pimentel said.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero echoed the same sentiment saying that if Tengco refuses to do so, senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian should do it.
“Pagcor should name the official! If not, the Committee chaired and headed by senators Hontiveros and Gatchalian should unmask this official, so that not all former high ranking cabinet officials will be looked upon with suspicion, and find out if he/she violated any laws,” Escudero said.
In a statement released on Saturday, Tengco urged authorities investigating the suspicious activities of former Pogo licensees to look into the role of past officials in granting licenses to applicants with questionable backgrounds.
Tengco said he will disclose the name of the former government official in a proper forum, as well as how illegal POGOs became rampant.
“As a regulator, it is our mandate to ensure that only those with valid licenses are allowed to operate all forms of gambling and gaming activities, whether these are land-based casinos or online platforms,” Tengco said in a statement.
The PAGCOR chief said it is in the interest of the government “to crack the whip against illegal operators, including the so-called offshore gaming operators, or POGOs and their backers.”
“Because the criminal activities associated with their illegal operations pose serious threats to our people,” Tengco added.