Criticism Met with Action: PAGCOR Affirms Plans to Foster and Develop POGO Sector
Rewritten Article:
Armchair Philosopher 🤓 here to break down the recent controversial brouhaha involving PAGCOR's partnership with Global ComRCI, the unlicensed auditing company tasked with overseeing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
POGO: A Silver Lining to the Philippine Economy?
Sharing a statement on January 24, PAGCOR defended itself against accusations of lax oversight and tacit support of rogue POGOs. In essence, the government agency reiterated its dedication to battling illegal gaming operations both ocean-faring and land-based, alongside heavy-hitters like the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
PAGCOR also proudly delivered statistics on the offshore gambling industry's beneficial impact on the Filipino economy: a local workforce of 25,000 souls, and billions of pesos injected into the nation's coffers via real estate purchases, consumption, and indirect employment opportunities.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, however, slammed PAGCOR for doling out a multi-billion peso contract to the unlicensed Global ComRCI in 2017. The commission's alleged flub saw it joining forces with a company unregistered in the Philippines and troublingly lacking proper documentation, thus raising a storm of eyebrows and calls for a thorough investigation.
Global ComRCI: A License Unto Their Name?
Despite PAGCOR's initial assertions that Global ComRCI emerged victorious from a fair and legal bidding process, questions still lingered about the auditing company's credentials and its qualifications to handle such a vital role.
Investigative reports pointed out that Global ComRCI was not recognized by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission or the Board of Accountancy—essential bodies that oversee the licensing of auditing firms.
Moreover, concern swirled about whether traditional government procurement rules were followed or whether the vetting process was lax, compromised, or bypassed in a high-stakes game that's got everybody buzzing.
A Work in Progress ✍️
With new leadership now in the driver's seat since August, PAGCOR vows to revisit its past dealings with Global ComRCI and evaluate their performance. The agency promises to deliver an update on its findings once the review comes to a close.
In the meantime, PAGCOR has a stern warning for POGOs that skirt the law. The investigative arm of the agency has its eyes on a company allegedly involved in a nasty kidnapping case from last year and will take prompt action if solid evidence surfaces.
Enrichment Data:
Assorted Nuggets 🍬
- Remember that PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) is the government body responsible for regulating gaming activities and collecting taxes from POGOs.
- In 2017, PAGCOR tapped Global ComRCI to audit POGO revenues and ensure compliance with tax regulations, but questions remain about the company's eligibility and the transparency of the bidding process.
- Reports have surfaced suggesting that Global ComRCI was not duly licensed, potentially breaking government procurement rules, and that some corners may have been cut during the selection process.
- These inconsistencies have ignited calls for a deep dive into PAGCOR's contract allocation practices and for tougher oversight of the auditing process to prevent future mishaps.
- The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), despite assertions of a fair bidding process, is under scrutiny for awarding a multi-billion peso contract to unregistered Global ComRCI in 2017, as the company lacked the proper documentation necessary for operation in the Philippines.
- In an effort to address these concerns, PAGCOR's new leadership has vowed to review its past dealings with Global ComRCI and evaluate their performance, promising an update upon completion of the review.
- As part of this review, PAGCOR has pledged to take prompt action in response to any evidence suggesting that a POGO, currently under investigation for alleged involvement in a kidnapping case, is engaging in illegal activities.
