Filtered By: Topstories
News

Genuino father, son face graft raps for misused movie funds


The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Tuesday filed graft and malversation charges against its former chairman, Efraim Genuino, and other former officials of the state-owned gaming firm over the alleged misuse of P26.7 million funds. In a 24-page complaint filed before the Department of Justice, PAGCOR alleged that its former officials approved the use of the P26.7 million to support the film "Baler," produced in 2008 by BIDA Productions Inc. and VIVA Communications Inc. Those named on the charge sheet were 13 former PAGCOR officials and 14 other officials from BIDA and VIVA. Leading the list of the 27 respondents are Genuino and his son, BIDA member Erwin Genuino, and VIVA chair and CEO Vicente del Rosario Jr. The younger Genuino and Del Rosario are the executive producers of Baler. "Respondents, in conspiracy with each other, fraudulently appropriated, took, misappropriated or consented or, through abandonment or negligence, permitted another person to take public funds from the coffers of PAGCOR," the complaint said. As of this posting, GMA News Online is still trying to reach the elder Genuino for comment. PAGCOR legal chief Jay Santiago said the government-owned and -controlled corporation did not make money from the film. “Lumalabas na nag-ambag ang PAGCOR ng pera sa pagpro-produce ng pelikula, pero wala namang kinita ang PAGCOR dito. In fact ang kumita dito ay ‘yung mga producer ng pelikula," Santiago said in an interview aired on GMA News’ “24 Oras" newscast Tuesday.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV How money was misused Of the movie's production cost of P40 million, BIDA was to shoulder two-thirds (P26.7 million) and VIVA the other third (P13.3 million). PAGCOR alleged that BIDA paid VIVA its P26.7 million share in five staggered payments but the amount was supposedly charged to PAGCOR. In its complaint, PAGCOR presented a memorandum of corporate communications head Edward King to the PAGCOR Board of Trustees to show how the amount was charged to PAGCOR's Player Tracking System in 12 casinos. In its Player Tracking System, PAGCOR awards incentives such as movie tickets to loyal patrons. The memorandum reads: "Due to the clamor of casino patrons to have Baler movie passes be made available chargeable to their Player Tracking System (PTS) points, PAGCOR branches are requesting allocation of movie passes covering the period December 25 and 26 only." "May we request that the accumulated remittances/payments from the different branches be made payable to BIDA Foundation?" the memorandum stated. PAGCOR said its board, led by its former chair Efraim Genuino, approved the memorandum. "The dismal sale of Baler tickets among casino patrons using their PTS points clearly proves that the alleged 'clamor of casino patrons' was a farce/concoction," PAGCOR said. "It is clear that the justification of PAGCOR's participation in the movie project, of simply facilitating the sale of Baler tickets among casino patrons, was non-existent at the outset," the complaint said. "The acquiescence of the previous members of the Board of Directors and the signatures of the officials of PAGCOR named as respondents hereto are needed and essential before any disbursement of public funds can be made," PAGCOR said. "In other words, any disbursement and release of public funds require their approval, hence, they had the control and responsibility over the funds subject of the present complaint," PAGCOR added. The state-owned gaming firm then asked the court to charge the respondents with malversation of public funds and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019). — With Paterno Esmaquel II/VVP/VS/HS, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT