DOJ-NBI panel cites Japanese billionaire Okada, 25 others criminally liable over PAGCOR deals

 

A fact-finding panel of the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation recommended filing criminal charges against 26 individuals including Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada and eight other foreigners over alleged "anomalous activities" related to the gamblers' paradise in the Philippines spearheaded by the government. 

 

"The DOJ-NBI fact-finding panel made the recommendation after it found violations of the Philippine Anti-Dummy Law or the Commonwealth Act No. 108, as amended, the Public Land Act, and the Foreign Investments Act of 1991 or Republic Act 7042 as amended," the panel noted in a statement Monday, citing portions of its resolution on the matter.

 

The people involved were investigated regarding their alleged involvement in “anomalous” transactions related to the establishment of casino hotels in Bagong Nayong Pilipino Entertainment City—a multi-billion-dollar gaming and entertainment complex near Manila Bay—operated by state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).

 

Apart from the individuals, 10 "juridical entities" were likewise recommended to be criminally 

charged.

 

The resolution will now be filed with the Justice Department for preliminary investigation to determine if there is probable cause to elevate the case to the courts.

 

The panel was made up of lawyer Marlon Tauli of the NBI-Anti-Graft Division, NBI Internal Audit Unit executive officer Catherine Camposano, and National Prosecution Service Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Rosalina Aquino.

 

Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada and his companies were being investigated in the United States for potential violations of anti-bribery laws in relation to a $2 billion casino project in the Philippines, Reuters earlier reported, citing a court filing.  

 

In a separate report, Reuters noted that “Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada's Universal Entertainment funneled at least $30 million to an ex-consultant for the Philippines gaming authority who is now at the center of a bribery investigation, according to sources and company records.

 

“The sum is six times the amount initially confirmed by Reuters and could, if found to be bribery, result in Okada being stripped of his firm's casino license in the Philippines and also jeopardize his gaming license in Las Vegas,” the report added.

 

“A Hong Kong firm established by Okada's Universal sent the money to Manila-based consultant Rodolfo Soriano in a series of payments in the first half of 2010, according to a review of company records and interviews with more than a dozen current and former employees and people familiar with the investigation.” — Mark Merueñas/VS, GMA News