Ex-Pagcor chair Genuino’s graft arraignment reset to August

The Sandiganbayan has reset anew the arraignment for graft and perjury of former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chairman Efraim Genuino to August.

During Genuino’s scheduled arraignment at the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Monday, chairperson Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje Tang cancelled the arraignment due to the pending incidents involving Genuino’s two separate graft cases.

Genuino was charged with four counts of perjury for allegedly making false statements under oath in his statement of assets and liabilities net worth (SALN). He has appealed the court’s finding of probable cause to hold him on trial.

Genuino also faces two charges of graft over the anomalous disbursement of P37-million Pagcor funds for the training of swimmers competing in the Olympics at a college he owns. The prosecution has filed a motion to amend the case information.

The court thus set his scheduled arraignment on Aug. 2.

Genunio was charged with perjury defined under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, for allegedly failing to disclose four lots in Bangkal, Makati, one lot in Tunasan, Muntinlupa, one lot in Los Banos, Laguna, and another in Sta. Rosa, Laguna in his statements of assets and liabilities networth (SALN).

READ: Ex-Pagcor chair Genuino faces trial for perjury | Ex-Pagcor chair Genuino charged with perjury in SALN

Genuino was separately charged with graft over the anomalous disbursement of P37.063 million Pagcor funds to pay for the training venue of the athletes from the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (Pasa) who would compete in the Olympics.

Genuino and seven others were accused of violating Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act by giving unwarranted benefits to Pasa as well as Trace College Inc., Jose Arne Navarra, and Synercraft Control Technologies.

The Ombudsman prosecutors said Genuino gave undue advantage to Pasa when he authorized the release of the P37 million Pagcor funds to the association for the use of the Trace College sports facility from 2007 to 2009.

Genuino also authorized the release of P9 million to Pasa which it used to pay Navarra and Synercraft for consultancy services in the maintenance of the timing and computer systems used by the athletes.

Genuino allegedly had pecuniary or financial interest in the disbursement to Pasa of P37 million, which was sourced from the five percent gross income allotment for the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) from Pagcor funds, because he allegedly owns and controls Trace College.

The said fund intended for PSC was used by Pasa to pay for the training venue in Trace College.

In refuting his alleged conflict of interest, Genuino said he was a trustee of the college from 1986 to 2004, but he no longer held the position for president since 2002. JE

READ: Ex-Pagcor chair seeks dismissal of graft raps over funds mess