Pagcor officials axed over P160-M scam

TWO executives of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. ( Pagcor) were dismissed from their post after an investigation of a casino scam that cost the government P160 million, a lawmaker said on Tuesday.

Assistant Minority Leader Milagros Magsaysay of Zambales province said that the corporation’s chairman, Cristino Naguiat, sacked Rogelio Bangsil, who was recently assigned to Pagcor’s international marketing department, and Casino Filipino Olongapo General Manager Jose Tulio.

Magsaysay added that Bangsil and Tulio were removed because they were being investigated on massive losses posted by government- run casinos.

“They were relieved because they both [ were] being

investigated and should not have any position of influence in the meantime as they seemed the most guilty,” she explained.

Magsaysay disclosed during a hearing Bangsil’s recent transfer to the international marketing department from being general manager for Metro Manila casinos.

Rep. Amado Bagatsing, the chairman of the House Committee on Games and Amusements, said that Bangsil was given three positions despite him being under investigation.

“I don’t think that is proper considering that he is under investigation in the Ben Lui case,” he explained.

Meanwhile, in a letter read during the hearing, Tulio said that Bangsil was informed about the unusual winnings of Singaporean Ben Lui that allegedly resulted from cheating.

During the panel investigation, the corporation’s president, Jose Sarmiento, admitted lapses in security operations that enabled Lui to play in the government- run casinos despite a request to ban him there.

The request was made by General Manager Andres Lizares of Hyatt on April 7, 2011.

According to Tulio, Lui’s group has been under close surveillance and was the subject of an intelligence operation aimed at catching them red-handed.

“It is also important to mention that we do not want others to know our plans because this will abort our operations. Other general managers are obviously close to Mr. Lui and I find it crucial to inform anybody not from the branch of this secret operation,” Tulio noted.

After revealing the promotion, Magsaysay said Bangsil, being then- general manager for Metro Manila casinos, failed to get information about Lui’s illegal activities although the Singaporean has also been banned in various casinos abroad.

“Prior to the Pagcor cheating, Ben Lui had already been banned by the Genting Group, the Star Cruises in Singapore, including the Resorts World, which is in Metro Manila and a neighbor of Pagcor casinos. The ban is known worldwide,” she told Monday’s hearing.