A pact between an e-Sabong operator and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) is resurfacing to trouble the gaming regulatory body. Approximately 10 individuals, including both present and past leaders, are now confronting allegations of authority misuse. | PGasia

PGasia | At the epicenter of this controversy lies a substantial PHP75 million (US$1.32 million) bond, which Kamura Highlands Gaming and Holdings Inc. transferred to the regulatory authority. This payment was a prerequisite for the company to engage in e-Sabong, an online platform facilitating betting on cockfights.

This controversy unfolded before the Philippines decided to suspend e-Sabong operations due to reported criminal activities involving law enforcement officers and individuals resorting to extreme measures, such as attempting to sell a baby to settle e-Sabong-related debts. When Kamura sought the bond refund, it was revealed that the funds were no longer accessible.

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When the Philippines terminated e-Sabong, Joaquin Sy, the chairman and principal stakeholder of Kamura, reached out to PAGCOR seeking the owed funds. Regrettably, he purportedly received no response. Eventually, it was disclosed that PAGCOR had redirected the funds to another recipient. Under circumstances yet to be clarified, the then-chair of PAGCOR, Andrea Domingo, allegedly transferred the funds to an individual named Jewel Castro.

Shortly after the transfer, Castro withdrew the funds from the designated bank account. Despite Castro’s connections to Kamura, the individual was reportedly neither a major stakeholder nor an officially designated assignee.

Consequently, Sy is advocating for accountability within PAGCOR’s leadership. The 10 implicated individuals are facing graft charges, suggesting potentially unlawful transactions that could have served their personal interests.

The transactions involving the bond’s repayment and the subsequent transfer unfolded during the previous PAGCOR administration. However, Tengco is implicated in the complaint due to his transition into office coinciding with the funds being directed to Castro’s account.

Additional charges have been levied against Tengco. Sy alleges that both Tengco and Jogno obstructed justice by allegedly concealing the matter. Furthermore, they are accused of delayed responsiveness to Sy’s initial inquiry regarding the bond’s whereabouts.

Tengco assumed the position of PAGCOR’s head in August 2022. Regrettably, Pedrosa and Concordia, who were part of the process between the reimbursement request and fund delivery, have since passed away.

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