Hontiveros: Ex-official convicted over 'pork' scam may be linked to illegal POGOs in Bamban, Porac
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Hontiveros: Ex-official convicted over 'pork' scam may be linked to illegal POGOs in Bamban, Porac
Officials from various government agencies attend the senate Inquiry on money laundering, crimes, and other illegal activities associated with the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country, held at the Senate building in Pasay City on March 5, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
Officials from various government agencies attend the senate Inquiry on money laundering, crimes, and other illegal activities associated with the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country, held at the Senate building in Pasay City on March 5, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File MANILA — A former government official found guilty in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam could possibly be linked to the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga.
MANILA — A former government official found guilty in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam could possibly be linked to the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga.
Based on the documents from the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, it showed letters addressed to former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo.
Based on the documents from the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, it showed letters addressed to former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo.
In the letter dated September 10, 2020, the sender named Thelma Barrago Laranan identified herself and former Technology and Resource Center director general Dennis Cunanan as representatives of Hongsheng Gaming Technology, Inc. located in Bamban.
In the letter dated September 10, 2020, the sender named Thelma Barrago Laranan identified herself and former Technology and Resource Center director general Dennis Cunanan as representatives of Hongsheng Gaming Technology, Inc. located in Bamban.
In a letter dated October 20, 2020, Cunanan himself wrote Domingo a letter saying he was a representative of Lucky South 99 Limited, Co. Lucky South 99 is the illegal POGO recently raided in Porac.
In a letter dated October 20, 2020, Cunanan himself wrote Domingo a letter saying he was a representative of Lucky South 99 Limited, Co. Lucky South 99 is the illegal POGO recently raided in Porac.
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Both Laranan and Cunanan were applying for a registration to operate a POGO.
Both Laranan and Cunanan were applying for a registration to operate a POGO.
In 2023, the Sandiganbayan handed down guilty verdicts against Cunanan over some PDAF cases such as the alleged misuse of the PDAF of the late Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Herminio Teves.
In 2023, the Sandiganbayan handed down guilty verdicts against Cunanan over some PDAF cases such as the alleged misuse of the PDAF of the late Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Herminio Teves.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the committee, sounded the alarm over the possible link of Cunanan to the illegal POGOs.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the committee, sounded the alarm over the possible link of Cunanan to the illegal POGOs.
“Cunanan figured in one of the largest corruption scandals our country has ever seen. Baka yung ginawa niya sa PDAF ay ina-apply niya rin dito sa mga POGO. Pinapakita din nito na may koneksyon talaga ang Bamban at Porac na POGO. Tila nagsama-sama silang mga scammer,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
“Cunanan figured in one of the largest corruption scandals our country has ever seen. Baka yung ginawa niya sa PDAF ay ina-apply niya rin dito sa mga POGO. Pinapakita din nito na may koneksyon talaga ang Bamban at Porac na POGO. Tila nagsama-sama silang mga scammer,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
(Cunanan might have applied in the POGOs what he did in the PDAF. This also shows that there really is a connection between the POGOs in Bamban and Tarlac. It seems like these scammers came together.)
(Cunanan might have applied in the POGOs what he did in the PDAF. This also shows that there really is a connection between the POGOs in Bamban and Tarlac. It seems like these scammers came together.)
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'OUR CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR'
Meanwhile, Cunanan said that when they were contracted as an independent consultant to help the companies register for possible POGO operations, "everything was legally undertaken and followed."
Meanwhile, Cunanan said that when they were contracted as an independent consultant to help the companies register for possible POGO operations, "everything was legally undertaken and followed."
"The companies mentioned at that time were properly and legally registered in our country. Without any derogatory record or illegal actions associated to them. (Will never be engaged then with them if they have records like what they have now)," Cunanan said in a statement.
"The companies mentioned at that time were properly and legally registered in our country. Without any derogatory record or illegal actions associated to them. (Will never be engaged then with them if they have records like what they have now)," Cunanan said in a statement.
"The submissions to regulatory and licensing bodies were diligently followed and observed. Everything went through the regular process without any evidence of any extra-ordinary circumstances," he added.
"The submissions to regulatory and licensing bodies were diligently followed and observed. Everything went through the regular process without any evidence of any extra-ordinary circumstances," he added.
Cunanan said their consultancy engagements were limited to companies' registration and they were never part of its operations. He added that they have "long stopped all engagements" with the firms.
Cunanan said their consultancy engagements were limited to companies' registration and they were never part of its operations. He added that they have "long stopped all engagements" with the firms.
"It is unfortunate that the PDAF cases are being mentioned and dragged in these issues sensationally and I am being publicly portrayed as a convicted person when we have more acquittals than the conviction being mentioned which is still subject to final judgement with the Supreme Court," Cunanan said.
"It is unfortunate that the PDAF cases are being mentioned and dragged in these issues sensationally and I am being publicly portrayed as a convicted person when we have more acquittals than the conviction being mentioned which is still subject to final judgement with the Supreme Court," Cunanan said.
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"Our conscience is very clear regarding this matter and we join law enforcement agencies in their efforts to stop illegal activities. Again, we were and are NOT at all party to the issues at hand as a private individual. We did our private professional work then properly like any other hard working citizen of this country," he continued.
"Our conscience is very clear regarding this matter and we join law enforcement agencies in their efforts to stop illegal activities. Again, we were and are NOT at all party to the issues at hand as a private individual. We did our private professional work then properly like any other hard working citizen of this country," he continued.
Cunanan will be invited to the next Senate hearing on POGOs, Hontiveros said.
Cunanan will be invited to the next Senate hearing on POGOs, Hontiveros said.
“It seems that POGOs are deliberately tapping former and present officials they can easily corrupt,” the senator said.
“It seems that POGOs are deliberately tapping former and present officials they can easily corrupt,” the senator said.
“Kaya hindi matanggal-tanggal ang POGO sa bansa kasi mukhang may mga binayaran na silang mga opisyal. Alam ng POGO na malaking kahinaan ng Pilipinas ang korapsyon kaya sinasamantala nila ito,” she added.
“Kaya hindi matanggal-tanggal ang POGO sa bansa kasi mukhang may mga binayaran na silang mga opisyal. Alam ng POGO na malaking kahinaan ng Pilipinas ang korapsyon kaya sinasamantala nila ito,” she added.
(The reason why we cannot remove POGOs in the country is because it seems like they have already paid some officials. POGOs know that the Philippines’ weakness is corruption which is why they are taking advantage of this.)
(The reason why we cannot remove POGOs in the country is because it seems like they have already paid some officials. POGOs know that the Philippines’ weakness is corruption which is why they are taking advantage of this.)
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Hontiveros called on her fellow public servants to ban POGOs.
Hontiveros called on her fellow public servants to ban POGOs.
HOLD LGUs ACCOUNTABLE
For Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, local government officials who fail to monitor illegal POGOs must be made accountable.
For Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, local government officials who fail to monitor illegal POGOs must be made accountable.
He said this in light of the investigation of the Pampanga provincial board on how Lucky South 99 was able to operate.
He said this in light of the investigation of the Pampanga provincial board on how Lucky South 99 was able to operate.
“The immediate action of the Pampanga provincial board to investigate how an illegal POGO facility managed to undertake illegal activities right under the nose of LGU officials is commendable and worthy of imitation. Surely, certain LGU personnel have been neglectful of their duties for a POGO hub to commit unspeakable crimes and remain undetected but concerned LGU officials and personnel should be held accountable," Gatchalian said in a statement.
“The immediate action of the Pampanga provincial board to investigate how an illegal POGO facility managed to undertake illegal activities right under the nose of LGU officials is commendable and worthy of imitation. Surely, certain LGU personnel have been neglectful of their duties for a POGO hub to commit unspeakable crimes and remain undetected but concerned LGU officials and personnel should be held accountable," Gatchalian said in a statement.
“LGUs should show tenacity in their commitment to maintaining peace and order in their localities as this is a necessary prelude to sustainable economic development.”
“LGUs should show tenacity in their commitment to maintaining peace and order in their localities as this is a necessary prelude to sustainable economic development.”
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He called on other LGUs in Pampanga to emulate the provincial government’s actions and once again called to ban POGOs.
He called on other LGUs in Pampanga to emulate the provincial government’s actions and once again called to ban POGOs.
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POGO
dennis cunanan
pdaf
porac pampanga
bamban tarlac
risa hontiveros
sherwin gatchalian
crime
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