Group backs probe on Pagcor anomalies

A PARTY-list group supports the investigation on the alleged multi-million anomalies involving the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) under the leadership of its former chair Efraim Genuino.

In a resolution filed at the House of Representatives, Bayan Muna Representatives Teddy Casino and Neri Colmenares said the House committee on good government and public accountability should investigate Pagcor, which was "practically made a milking cow by the Genuino-led management" under the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Updates on President Benigno Aquino III's presidency

It was recently discovered that Genuino signed a check amounting to more than P21 million payable to the agency's former president Rafael Francisco on June 28.

The P21.119 million was used for the purchase of cheese burgers and chicken meals donated to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a period of eight days.

“Government funds and Pagcor funds should be spent on the poor and needy. Congress approves Pagcor franchise so we should investigate whether it violates its mandate,” Colmenares told Sun.Star.

The House resolution also states that certain documents exposed that Pagcor issued various checks to the Batang Iwas Droga (Bida) Foundation for various expenses that benefitted the said organization founded by Genuino and composed of Genuino family members and associates.

Bida, as a party-list group, ran in the 2010 elections, fielding Genuino’s daughter Sheryl Genuino-See as its first nominee.

In 2001, Bayan Muna won the Supreme Court case seeking the disqualification caes of the Bida party-list.

Arroyo appointed the elder Genuino to chair Pagcor in 2001 and re-appointed him before she stepped down as President. After bombarded by critics for his midnight appointment, Genuino resigned last June. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)