Henry Omaga-Diaz will look into the claims involving the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)’s senior officials who were allegedly paid off to approve a foreign casino mogul’s bid to run a casino in the country this Thursday (Mar 22) in "Krusada."Casino mogul Steve Wynn, CEO of Wynn Resorts and Casino in Las Vegas and Macau, has charged former business partner Kazuo Okada of providing illegal and lavish gifts and accommodations to PAGCOR chairman Cristino Naguiat, his family, and the government agency’s officials to secure a license to own and develop a casino in the PAGCOR Entertainment City in Parañaque City.
An investigation commissioned by Wynn’s company also concluded that corruption is ‘deeply ingrained’ in the Philippines’ gaming industry and doubted President Benigno Aquino III’s plans for reform would eradicate it.
Naguiat confirmed the casino visits and hotel accommodations in Las Vegas and Macau, which he insisted were common gambling industry practices arranged for operators such as him. Could it be considered an “industry practice” or an outright unethical conduct considering PAGCOR’s regulatory function in rejecting and approving gaming investments in the country?
Henry will find out if PACGOR should drop its role in managing gambling operations and just concentrate on its responsibility of regularizing and permitting gaming ventures in the country.
Listen, take part and be one with Henry’s crusade because it takes more than words to make a stand. Watch “Krusada,” which is nominated in the Social Issues/Current Events category at the prestigious 2012 New York Festivals International Television & Film Awards, tomorrow (Mar 22) after “Bandila” on ABS-CBN, or earlier on DZMM TeleRadyo (SkyCable Channel 26), 9:15 p.m. (www.tvseriescraze.blogspot.com)
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