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Saturday, June 26, 2004
Bishop hits use of Pagcor funds for inauguration
By Marie Neri
MANILA -- The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) is shelling out several millions of pesos to pay for 150 hotel rooms for guests of President Arroyo in her inauguration in Cebu next week.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz revealed this as he added that such expense was too extravagant. He reminded the government of the country's current financial status and worsening budget deficit.
Cruz said President Arroyo and her guests would immediately leave for Cebu on Wednesday after taking her oath of office before SC Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. at the Quirino Grandstand.
Cruz said the use of government funds for Arroyo's inaugural celebration runs contrary to Malacaņang's declaration that the country will be able to meet its budget deficit target by cutting down on costs.
"She (Arroyo) would like to acknowledge that Cebu gave her more than a million votes. It was like payment for a favor," said the former president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
Cruz criticized Pagcor for subsidizing the event in exchange for government concession to expanding its operations.
"Pagcor spent more than P150 million for the purchase of equipment and 'patubig' projects before the elections. Now, after the elections, it has reserved 150 best hotel rooms in Cebu on the occasion of a projected inauguration. And the Pagcor officials claim the purest of intentions in its fund management," he said.
He noted that the state gaming agency has plans to make the Philippines the gambling capital of Asia by putting up a US$150 billion casino project at the Manila Bay area.
"Now it can be publicly declared and shamefully admitted--the future of gambling in Asia is in the Philippines," he said.
It would be recalled that Cruz earlier accused Malacaņang of using millions of pesos in Pagcor budget to fund Arroyo's campaign.
Cruz belittled the formation of a Commission on Values Formation under Executive Order 314 last May.
"One wonders which would the government really want to form. Is it the vice of gambling under the auspices of an ever-growing Pagcor? Or is it the virtue of industry with the help of the commission? It cannot be both. One cancels the other," he said.
(June 26, 2004 issue)
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