DOJ summons ex-Pagcor chief Genuino's 2 sons

The Department of Justice on Wednesday summoned the two sons of former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chairman Efraim Genuino in connection with the P3.1-million malversation case filed against them. In a one-page subpoena signed by prosecution lawyer Mary Jane Sytat, the DOJ ordered Erwin and Anthony Genuino to appear before a preliminary investigation at the second floor of the DOJ's Annex Building 2 in Manila on 8:30 a.m. Thursday. The two were likewise directed to submit their respective counter-affidavits regarding the complaint filed by current Pagcor chairman Jorge Sarmiento last July. In his complaint, Sarmiento alleged that part of the 300 metric tons of rice donated by Japan's Aruze Corp. in 2008 was used for the electoral campaign of the two in the May 2010 elections. Apart from the Genuinos, also named respondents were former PAGCOR senior vice president for corporate communications Edward King, and Los Baños city administrator Mai Mai Tado, also an official of the Genuino-owned Trace Computer College. "No postponement will be granted except for valid and meritorious ground," the DOJ said. The rice donations were supposed to be distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to victims of Typhoon Frank in 2008. However, out of the 300 metric tons of rice (10,000 sacks), about 105 metric tons (3,500 sacks) were allegedly received by PAGCOR and used to bolster the candidacies of Genuino's two sons, according to Sarmiento. Last June 14, Pagcor filed charges before the DOJ against Genuino, 13 other former Pagcor officials, and 14 private individuals for malversation of public funds over the P26.7-million production cost of the 2008 film "Baler." A week later, two complaints of graft and corruption were separately filed before the Office of the Ombudsman by Pagcor and a group composed of 11 athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts against Genuino, other Pagcor board members and officers, as well as several private individuals for allegedly malversing around P34 million in financial assistance meant for Filipino athletes. - Mark D. Merueñas/KBK, GMA News