Major revamp looms at Pagcor

MANILA, Philippines - A major revamp looms at the top-level management of the state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

Henry Reyes, officer-in-charge of the Pagcor’s Corporate Communications Services Department, said President Aquino is set to replace the entire membership of the Pagcor board of directors as part of its reform thrusts.

Reyes, who replaced former Pagcor spokesman Dodie King, stressed the appointments of the new members of the board formed part of the Aquino administration’s effort to ensure efficiency and transparency in the revenue-generating agency.

Reyes said the President would handpick members of the board.

“All of the recommendations will come from the Office of the President,” he said.

Once the new board is constituted, the state-run gaming agency will also implement reorganization in other positions, Reyes said.

Reyes was former assistant managing head of Pagcor’s Slot Machines Department. He has been working with the agency since 1986.

Various groups have criticized the reappointment of former Pagcor chairman Efraim Genuino and four members of its board of directors last March.

Genuino buckled to pressure and resigned from the agency effective June 30, upon the assumption of the new President.

Mr. Aquino has appointed his former Ateneo classmate Christino “Bong” Naguiat as Pagcor chief.