The Philippines’ president-elect Senator Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino is to review the eleventh hour reappointment of senior officials of the country’s gaming regulator-cum-operator Pagcor by his predecessor, reports the local media.
Outgoing national chief executive Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reappointed Pagcor chairman Dr Efraim Genuino and four other directors to their posts on 9th March. That was just one day before a 60-day moratorium on public appointments took effect in advance of the presidential election campaign.
The issue of who leads Pagcor (The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) has become heavily politicised by all parties. That’s because Pagcor’s role as an issuer of gaming licences and collector of gaming taxes makes it one of the largest contributors to public revenue in the country.
“This administration [Ms Arroyo] is forcing his [Dr Genuino’s] appointment when it should have given the incoming administration a free hand to do so. But we have options vested in the constitution and we will review his appointment,” said Sen. Aquino in comments reported by GMANews.TV.
Sen. Aquino refused to be drawn on whether Dr Genuino’s appointment will be revoked, but added the new administration can review it up to 90 days after it assumes office.
“We have to audit exactly what transpired at Pagcor given so many allegations,” added Sen. Aquino, referring to multiple claims and counter claims regarding alleged irregularities in the Pagcor accounts.
The outgoing administration claims, however, that because the Pagcor officials were reappointed for only one year, the incoming government has no power to revoke the arrangement.
The fact that Imelda Marcos, the widow of former Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos, was for several years a guest of honour at Pagcor gala events during Dr Genuino’s watch is likely to add to the political rancour.
Aquino supporters suspect President Marcos of being implicated in the assassination of Sen. Aquino’s father Benigno Aquino Junior (at the time a frontrunner to replace Mr Marcos) on the tarmac of Manila International Airport back in 1983.
