Ex-gaming official: Politics in charges

A former senior official of the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corp. (Pagcor) on Monday claimed that the string of criminal cases filed against him and other former officials of the state-gaming firm was politically motivated.

Former Pagcor communications chief Edward “Dodie” King maintained that all transactions entered into by the previous Pagcor management were “aboveboard,” at the start of a preliminary hearing for a graft case at the Department of Justice.

The DOJ is weighing the merits of a malversation case filed by Pagcor against its former officials in connection with the production of the movie “Baler” in 2008.

“I really don’t understand why there are several cases being filed against us,” King told reporters after the hearing.

Former Pagcor Chair Efraim Genuino, his son Erwin and other respondents were no-shows at the proceeding presided over by Assistant State Prosecutor Gino Paolo Santiago.

Asked if he thought the cases were politically motivated, King replied, “I don’t see any reason other than that.”

King added, “I don’t understand why a hold departure order was issued against us. It is our right to travel.”

He was referring to the order issued by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima last Friday barring Genuino and other persons from leaving the country.

In its June 14 complaint before the DOJ, Pagcor accused Genuino, his son Erwin and 25 other individuals of unlawfully using Pagcor funds 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 documents showed the Genuinos and their co-accused used their positions to buy P26.7 million worth of “Baler” tickets supposedly for clients of Pagcor–run casinos.