Philippines’ PAGCOR staff sacked after licensing power abuse

Two officials of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) have been sacked for their alleged involvement in corrupt activities. According to The Philippine Star, the country’s President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the dismissal of these officials from service for abusing their licensing power.

Duterte said he sacked the unidentified officials, even after they followed him to Cebu City and pleaded him to show some mercy.

The president reportedly said: “I have fired and will fire tomorrow some more people.”

The Philippine president pointed out the PAGCOR officials have abused their positions when they decided to issue a license to a free port operator. The officials reportedly tried to justify their actions by telling the president that whatever they have granted was only what was provided for in the franchise.

“When you are granted this free port… and you are beginning to abuse by issuing too many franchises of gambling,” Duterte said. “Correct, it is in the franchise, but everything goes under a regulation. It is rightful to issue permits within your territory, but when you begin to issue gambling permits outside of your territory….”

The last straw that made him decide to axe the two PAGCOR officials from their post was when they decided to award franchise contracts to foreigners for 75 years, according to Duterte, who also reminded people that he does not like gambling.

“As much as possible we limit it. I do not want to quarrel with anybody. And I said that when you begin to do that, you insist on something which is wrong,” Duterte said. “And you give these contracts for foreigners for 75 years? Son of a… you must be crazy. How many Presidents will the franchise go through?”

Since he assumed power in 2016, Duterte has demonstrated his distaste for gambling as he showed little mercy for the country’s eGames cafes, with PhilWeb bearing the brunt of his anger. The Philippine president only agreed to restore online gambling on the assurance that operators will be taxed correctly and that their operations are situated far from churches and schools.

Source: calvinayre.com