WHAT WENT BEFORE: BI bribery scandal

Macau-based gambling tycoon Jack Lam has been accused of attempting to bribe government officials to protect the online gaming operations of his casino at Clark Freeport in Pampanga province.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has claimed that Lam, through a representative, attempted to pay him off on Nov. 26 during a meeting at Shangri-La Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, two days after police arrested 1,316 Chinese nationals illegally working at his Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino.

Aguirre said he was offered a bribe of up to P100 million a month.

Hours after the meeting, Bureau of Immigration Associate Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles accepted P50 million from Lam’s aide and former police officer Wally Sombero in exchange for ironing out Lam’s problems.

Aguirre said he felt “betrayed” by Argosino and Robles who were part of President Duterte’s campaign and legal team. He, Mr. Duterte, Argosino and Robles are  fraternity brothers who belong to Lex Talionis at San Beda Law School. The two commissioners have resigned.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp chair Andrea Domingo was also offered a 1-percent cut of Lam’s casino earnings, according to Aguirre, to allow the tycoon’s online gaming operations to continue while he was applying for a license.

Lam’s casino license is only for on-site games.

On Dec. 3 Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa said that President Duterte had ordered the arrest of Lam for bribery and economic sabotage. But according to Immigration officials, a certain Lam Yin Lok, the alleged real name of Jack Lam, had left the country on Nov. 29 bound for Hong Kong. —INQUIRER RESEARCH

Sources: Inquirer Archives