State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. on Thursday said it opened the Casino Filipino Manila Bay despite controversies because it is advantageous to the corporation and the government aside from preventing losses and saving jobs.
In an interview, Pagcor chairman Andrea Domingo said the move was a very hard decision and that she was just “trying to make the best out of a really bad situation” that she said she inherited.
In an official statement earlier, Pagcor said it proceeded with the opening of Casino Filipino Manila Bay after carefully weighing the odds.
“When the present Management took office in June 2016, the contract between Pagcor and Vanderwood Management Corp. [Vanderwood] had been signed and sealed. However, some issues were raised by the Commission on Audit in its Notice of Disallowance as to the payment of advance rental and deposit,” she said.
Lawmakers earlier scrutinized Casino Filipino Manila Bay, especially the advance lease payments to Vanderwood Management Corp.
“Vanderwood was informed of the CoA NOD and Pagcor demanded rectification of the observations, but it sued Pagcor for injunction. Since the Trial Court declined to issue a Preliminary Injunction, Pagcor deposited the P234-million security check of Vanderwood, thus, recovering the Advance Rentals and Deposits previously paid by it to Vanderwood.
As a consequence, CoA lifted the Notice of disallowance. In addition, Pagcor demanded penalty of P250,000 per day of delay and claim against Vanderwood’s P1 Billion bond,” Pagcor said.
Pagcor said the transfer from its old site to CF-Manila Bay project provides much advantage for Pagcor and the government.
“On monthly rental alone, Pagcor would only be paying P13 million at CF Manila Bay, less than half of what it used to pay for the old site amounting to over P28 million. This translates to an annual savings of close to P200 million in rental fees,” it said.
Pagcor added that at Casino Filipino Manila Bay, the corporation would be provided a minimum of 100 secured parking slots, with 50 free slots exclusively for Pagcor’s use, a clear contrast from the 16 basement parking slots being paid monthly at P2,500 each.
“Moreover, Vanderwood will shoulder the maintenance cost of the leased premises every five years by way of repainting, replacement of toilet fixtures, replacement and upgrade of CCTV equipment and adjuncts, and change of theme or motif including the floor carpets,” Pagcor said.
The agency said it also considered the newly restored and upgraded facilities of CF Manila Bay, in comparison with the old site that has yet to be renovated.
Pagcor added that it also exercised frugality in its decision to move to CF Manila Bay as there was no escalation clause in its contract. Under the contract on its old site, there was a 5 percent escalation on the third and fourth year of the lease.
“Despite the ongoing legal squabble and protests, Pagcor considers the transfer to its new site as favorable to Pagcor and the government,” Pagcor said.