PAGCOR sues former executives

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) yesterday filed graft and malversation charges against its former chairman Efraim Genuino and other former officials over the use of millions from its coffers to bankroll the film “Baler” in 2008.

In a 24-page complaint, Pagcor alleged that P26.7 million, or two-thirds of cost of production of the award-winning film by BIDA Productions Inc. and Viva Communications Inc., came from its funds.

“Respondents, in conspiracy with each other, fraudulently appropriated, took, misappropriated or consented or, through abandonment or negligence, permitted another person to take public funds from the coffers of Pagcor,” the complaint said.

Genuino was joined by 26 other respondents in the complaint, including his son Erwin, BIDA board member who ran for Makati mayor in last year’s polls but lost.

The younger Genuino and Viva boss Vicente del Rosario Jr. are the executive producers of Baler. The charge sheet filed by Pagcor director Eugene Manalastas also named 11 other former officials of Pagcor: Rafael Francisco (ex-president/COO), former board members Manuel Roxas, Philip Lo and Gamaliel Cordoba, former officials Jose Benedicto, Rene Figueroa, Edward King, Carlos Bautista Jr., Esther Hernandez, Valente Custodio, Jesselyn Durante-Cuizon.

Also included in the complaint are BIDA Foundation officials Mario Cornista, Rodolfo Soriano Sr., Emilio Marcelo, Philip Beltran, Luis Guerrero, Olive Soriano, Jesus Velmonte, Carol Matsuda and Josephine Sumangil-Evangelista; Viva chairman and CEO Del Rosario, Marcia Gina Lopez, Hermie Go, Ma. Theresa Santiago, and Tony Magtoto.

The state-owned gaming firm presented as proof a memorandum of King to the Pagcor Board of Trustees to show how the amount was charged to Pagcor’s Player Tracking System (PTS) in 12 casinos.

“Due to the clamor of casino patrons to have Baler movie passes be made available chargeable to their Player Tracking System (PTS) points, Pagcor branches are requesting allocation of movie passes covering the period Dec. 25 and 26 only,” the memorandum read. “May we request that the accumulated remittances/payments from the different branches be made payable to BIDA Foundation,” the memorandum further stated.

Pagcor’s board led by Genuino had reportedly approved the memorandum.

“The dismal sale of Baler tickets among casino patrons using their PTS points clearly proves that the alleged ‘clamor of casino patrons’ was a farce/concoction,” the complaint stated.