Winnings denied
Government officials and employees in the Philippines have had over PHP 200m ($3.5m) in gambling winnings won in the first half of this year voided, according to a report in The Philippine Star.
withheld the money after conducting secondary checks on them attempting to claim their winnings
Government employees are forbidden from entering gambling venues in the Philippines, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) withheld the money after conducting secondary checks on them attempting to claim their winnings.
The move comes amid PAGCOR facing pressure over not fully enforcing the rule in the past, with a recent scandal currently under investigation.
Workers’ strict orders
While there is no law which specifically prohibits Filipino government workers from accessing casinos, a civil service memorandum from 2016 effectively bars employees from any form of gambling.
The memorandum calls on government employees to “observe the highest ethical standards” and to “comply with all pertinent laws, issuances, and policies prohibiting government personnel to enter, stay, or play in gambling casinos.
“The mere entry or presence of government officials and employees in a gambling casino shall be considered as conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service – unless it is related to their official duties or functions.”
in addition to elected officials and civil servants, the rules also apply to police officers
Last month, further clarifications were issued to also apply the rule to online gambling, particularly while on-duty. In addition to elected officials and civil servants, the rules also apply to police officers and other emergency workers.
Crucially, the memo also instructs PAGCOR to “ensure strict observance” of the rules, which has allowed them to deny the employees any of their winnings.
Corruption alleged
The moves come amid the backdrop of a national scandal involving government workers gambling, with suspended Department of Public Works and Highways engineer Henry Alcantara accused of regularly gambling in casinos.
Alcantara admitted that he and his colleagues used an aliases and fake identification documents
On top of entering casinos, Alcantara admitted that he and his colleagues used aliases and fake identification documents, and there were even allegations that they had gained VIP access in certain venues.
PAGCOR is now investing those allegations and investigating alleged corruption which allowed government workers to gamble large amounts and hold apparently extravagant lifestyles.
“There are projects that were paid for without my knowledge,” said Alcantara. “I trusted my subordinates that the documents were all signed. But in the end, it was me, I admit there was negligence on my part.”
