An anti-graft watchdog slammed state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. for alleged “shameless disrespect to the Supreme Court” by running roughshod over the latter’s decisions that the state-run gaming firm had no legal authority on online gambling in the country.
The Anti-Trapo Movement Inc., in a statement, deplored that Pagcor under the leadership of chairperson Andrea Domingo deliberately ignored the SC’s landmark en banc decision in connection with the Sen. Robert Jaworski vs Pagcor case which was handed down on Jan. 14, 2004.
Anti-Trapo founding chair Leon Peralta cited that prior to Domingo’s watch, Pagcor had consistently adhered to the SC ruling.
“But for reasons known only to herself and probably her cohorts, the Domingo-led Pagcor made their own interpretation of the Pagcor charter and arrogated upon themselves the powers to administer online gaming in the country in blatant violation of Presidential Decree 1869 and other pertinent laws particularly Republic Act 9487,” Peralta said.
He recalled that the SC made a similar ruling in another suit initiated by Rep. Raul del Mar against Pagcor.
Peralta said that under the law, only the economic and freeport zones specifically the Cagayan Economic Zone and Freeport Authority and the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority had the legal authority to exercise administrative powers over online gaming activities in the Philippines.
He said this was further affirmed by a proviso in the Pagcor charter mandating that Pagcor should keep its hands off any gaming concerns already governed by other government agencies.
Peralta’s group earlier urged SC to issue an order restoring the right to grant online gaming franchises to the economic zones and, at the same time, hold Pagcor in contempt for usurpation of judicial powers.
The group, in a 14-page petition filed before the SC, asserted that Pagcor illegally exercised the authority to “interpret and implement the law” hence, giving itself the exclusive privilege to “centralize and integrate all game of chance” as defined by PD 1869.
The group asked the high tribunal to issue a status quo ante order (literally meaning the way things were before) “restoring the regulation of internet/online gaming to the economic zones that were created by special law for that purpose.”
The petitioner also claimed that in issuing the questioned regulations, “Pagcor has anomalously interpreted the law to include internet/online gambling” in its authority.