Friday, October 26, 2007 Pagcor seeks dads’ backing of poker games
THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) is asking the Cebu City Council to endorse poker gaming in the city.
The legislative body’s consent is seen to “pave the way for the legalization of the many clandestine poker games being played in several venues in Cebu City,” a company official said.
In a letter addressed to the City Council, Straightflush Corp. president Michael Co said that Pagcor has given the company the franchise and authority to operate poker gaming in Cebu City.
Mabuhay Rosero, Pagcor poker department senior managing head, informed Co through a letter dated Oct. 1, 2007 that the gaming authority’s board of directors approved his request to operate a “poker club” in Salinas Drive, Barangay Lahug.
“You may proceed with the preparations with regards to marketing, training of operations personnel, manufacturing/production of gaming paraphernalia and set-up of the Poker Club prior to the commencement of your formal operations,” Rosero told Co.
But Pagcor required Straightflush to secure a Cebu City Council resolution consenting to the company’s operations.
If the request gets approved, it will not be the first time that City Hall will gain revenues due to gaming operations here.
The City receives P5.5 million each month as its share of state-sponsored gambling funds from Pagcor.
Last Wednesday, the council referred Co’s letter to the committee on games, amusement and sports headed by City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem, and the committee on laws of City Councilor Edgardo Labella, for comment.
In his letter, Co said that “under existing law and jurisprudence, Pagcor and its agents are not under the regulatory and taxing powers of the local government units (LGUs).”
“However, as a matter of courtesy and respect for the duly constituted authority of the LGU concerned, Pagcor solicits the endorsement and consent of the LGU by way of legislative action,” he added.
He also said that the City stands to earn additional revenue through income taxes resulting from Straightflush’s operations. (RHM)
