An advocacy group slammed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for its “shameless disrespect to the Supreme Court (SC).”
The Anti-Trapo Movement (ATM) said on Sunday that PAGCOR deliberately ignored the high court’s decision on a case in 2004, which ruled in favor of former Senator Robert Jaworki’s petition for the SC to reject PAGCOR’s assertion that it can regulate internet or online gambling.
The group’s leader, Leon Estrella Peralta, said in a statement that under a new leadership, PAGCOR has “made their own interpretation of the PAGCOR charter and arrogated upon themselves the powers to administer online gaming in the country.”
He said this was a clear violation of Presidential Decree 1869 and Republic Act 9487 that outlines the franchise and powers of PAGCOR.
He noted that under the law, only the Cagayan Economic Zone and Freeport Authority and the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority have the legal authority over internet or online gaming activities.
ATM has filed a 14-page petition to the SC to cite PAGCOR for contempt for “usurpation of judicial powers.” /ee
READ: Advocacy group wants Pagcor cited for contempt