Courts Asked to Shut PAGCOR Down

PHILIPPINES – As reported by the Manila Times: "The Supreme Court has been asked to close down the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. because it has been operating without a franchise for the past three years.

"Liberal Party Rep. Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas, who has installed himself as the nemesis of Pagcor in the House of Representatives, on Monday filed the petition before the Court, claiming the gaming control agency is operating illegally.

"Mandanas said Pagcor's 25-year franchise granted under Presidential Decree 1067-B expired on January 1, 2002.

"Lawmakers supporting the extension of the Pagcor franchise by another 25 years argued that the Pagcor franchise will expire in 2005 since P.D. 1869 took effect in 1983.

"…'Pagcor gravely abused its discretion in continuing its operations, and in disbursing public funds without a franchise,' Mandanas said in his 25-page petition…"