Pagcor warns barangay officials vs scam

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) warned local officials yesterday not to fall prey to a scam being perpetrated by some unscrupulous individuals who pose as Malacañang officials and promise to facilitate requests for financial assistance from PAGCOR "in exchange for a percentage fee."

We have received numerous letters from barangay chairmen all over the country, all requesting for P100,000 to support their sports programs. We have duly investigated these requests and have found out that they are being circulated by some individuals claiming to have connections with either PAGCOR or Malacañang," PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Efraim Genuino said.

"Apparently, the perpetrators of this modus operandi come prepared and ask our local officials, mostly barangay chairmen, to just sign their names on a prepared piece of solicitation letter. They ask for a 50-50 sharing arrangement if the project is approved. We would like to appeal to our barangay chairmen not to believe these unscrupulous people. Such spurious requests will not be granted by Pagcor," Genuino added.

Genuino revealed that PAGCOR has a Community Relations Department which deals with the agencies, members of Congress, local officials and sick indigents. The Community Relations Department is also in charge of the various public-oriented projects being funded by PAGCOR all over the country.

"PAGCOR remains a strong ally of government in funding various socio-civic and development projects. By nature, we work closely with our local government officials in pushing these projects. They should therefore be wary of anybody claiming to act as an intermediary for PAGCOR. All our transactions are transparent and any request of a doubtful nature will not be entertained," Genuino repeated.