PAGCOR CEO Supports E-sabong Investigation Opportunity

The Chairman and CEO of the Philippine gaming regulator, Alejandro Tengco, has stated his willingness to thoroughly investigate claims of the illicit discharge and disappearance of PHP75 million (US$1.3 million) in funds. These payments are said to be related to the return of a performance bond made by a corporation associated with the online presentation of cockfighting known as E-sabong.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte chose to cease national E-sabong operations in May 2022.

The PHP75 million was originally paid to Pagcor as a cash performance bond in conjunction with Kamura Highlands Gaming’s issuance of an E-sabong license last year.

“While this happened before we came to Pagcor,” Mr. Tengco said in a statement released on Wednesday, “the public can rest assured that we will get to the bottom of this and respond to the accusations against us in the proper venue once we receive a copy of the alleged charges from the ombudsman.”

Mr. Tengco added that, while Pagcor has not yet received an official complaint from the Ombudsman, they have launched an internal inquiry and are attempting to piece together the events. He stated that the allegedly involved department, the E-Sabong Licensing Department, has been dismantled since previous President Duterte banned E-sabong in May 2022. Personnel from that department have been relocated to other units, necessitating a retracement of the alleged anomalous transaction by Pagcor.

He further stated that, despite the fact that the alleged missing cash occurred during the previous administration, he sees this case as a chance to unearth the truth and instill accountability within the organization. “While we find it strange that we are included in the alleged charges, we will pursue our own investigation to determine what really happened and bring the perpetrators to justice if there was any anomaly,” he added.

Original Story by Newsdesk for GGRASIA