Panel to probe ex-Pagcor chief

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has created a panel of prosecutors to investigate the graft charges filed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) against its former chair, Efraim Genuino, for allegedly misappropriating P26.7 million in public funds to produce the movie “Baler” in 2008.

In a department order, De Lima assigned Assistant State Prosecutor Gino Paolo Santiago to lead the preliminary investigation into the criminal case that the state-owned gaming firm filed with the Department of Justice on June 14.

“In the interest of public service and pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, a panel of prosecutors is hereby constituted to conduct a preliminary investigation of the case,” De Lima said.

In its 24–page complaint, Pagcor accused Genuino, his son Erwin and 25 other individuals of illegally using funds from the government–run gaming company to co-produce the movie with Viva Communications Inc., Bida Productions Inc. and Bida Foundation Inc.

Jay Santiago, Pagcor spokesperson and chief legal counsel, said a perusal of case documents showed the Genuinos and their co-accused used their position to buy P26.7 worth of movie tickets supposedly for clients of Pagcor–run casinos to see the movie starring Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales.