Gatchalian sees conflict of interest in PAGCOR responsibilities

• Published date: 23 November 2022
• Publication title: Philippines News agency

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday said there is a conflict of interest in the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) responsibilities as regulatory body while also operating casinos.

'May conflict of interest talaga sa responsibilities ng PAGCOR. Sa kabilang banda, regulator siya, naghihigpit siya. Sa kabilang banda kumikita siya, maluwag siya (There is indeed a conflict of interest in PAGCOR's responsibilities. Since it is a regulator, it should be strict. On the other hand, it earns, it is not so strict),' Gatchalian said in a press conference.

Gatchalian said if PAGCOR will strictly implement policies, it will not earn enough money and gaming operators, including the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) will leave the country.

'So isa sa nakikita ko kung hindi natin maaayos yan, kung hindi natin mahihiwalay ang regulation at operation, hindi natin mahihiwalay ang problema natin sa POGO (So one of the things I see is if we can't solve that, if we can't separate regulation and operation, we can't separate our problem with POGO),' he said.

He was referring to the problem of kidnappings and other crimes recently linked to the POGOs.

Gatchalian said one of his recommendations would be to amend the PAGCOR charter to create one body for regulation and another agency for operation.

During the previous Senate hearings, Gatchalian said finance experts and economists suggested a total ban of POGO due to 'reputational risk' it brings to the country.

'Dahil nga merong krimen na nakakabit dito sa POGO, ang mga gustong mag-invest sa atin ayaw mag-invest...