Pagcor's Accused of Operating Illegally

PHILIPPINE – As reported by the ABS-CBNNews: "Former senator Francisco Tatad asked the Quezon City court Tuesday to declare all government-sanctioned gambling activities by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. illegal, saying that Pagcor is operating with an expired franchise.

"In a civil suit filed through his lawyer before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, Tatad sought to strike down what he said was a false claim contained in House Bill 3409 that Pagcor's 25-year franchise which expired last Dec. 31, 2001 was still valid for three more years.

"Tatad sued Sen. Joker Arroyo in his capacity as chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services to prevent it from acting on the 'flawed' House Bill 3409 renewing Pagcor's original franchise granted in 1977 for another 25 years 'from the expiration of Pagcor's original franchise on July 11, 2008.'

"According to Tatad, this conclusion is patently illegal and cannot be made the basis of any legislation.

"…Tatad cited Presidential Decree 1869 which created Pagcor on January 1, 1977 with an original, exclusive franchise to operate gambling casinos for 25 years.

"…The former Senator complained that a substantial amount of public funds, official time and effort have been, and are being spent for the processing of the 'flawed' House bill…"