PAGCOR officials fired after power abuse claims

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to sack two PAGCOR officials after their names were linked to corruption.

Philippines.- Two officials of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) have been fired by President Rodrigo Duterte himself after they were linked to corrupt activities. Both had been accused of abusing their licensing power and angered the chief of state.

The officials – whose names weren’t disclosed – abused their positions and issued a licence to a free port operator, Duterte explained. They tried to justify their actions by arguing that whatever they’d granted was merely what was provided for in the franchise.

“I have fired and will fire tomorrow some more people,” Duterte said to news outlet The Philippine Star and added: “When you are granted this free port… and you are beginning to abuse by issuing too many franchises of gambling. It is in the franchise, but everything goes under a regulation. It is rightful to issue permits within your territory, but when you begin to issue gambling permits outside of your territory.”

“As much as possible we limit it. I do not want to quarrel with anybody. And I said that when you begin to do that, you insist on something which is wrong. And you give these contracts for foreigners for 75 years?” Duterte questioned.