Jack Lam’s camp mum on Duterte arrest order

Gaming tycoon Jack Lam's camp has declined to comment on President Rodrigo Duterte's order to have him arrested over charges of bribery and economic sabotage.

Lam's counsel, Raymond Fortun told GMA News Online late Saturday night that he had no authority yet to comment on the matter.

"I don't have authority to speak for Mr. Lam on any recent developments. I'm hoping for your understanding. If I have the authority, I will let you know," Fortun said.

Fortun also refused to comment if Lam is still in the country, citing "confidentiality" of communications between a lawyer and his client.

While no formal charges have been filed yet against Lam, the Department of Justice insisted that the President's arrest order, disclosed by Police chief Director General Ronald  Dela Rosa, was valid since economic sabotage is a "continuing crime."

Lam is accused of trying to bribe, in separate instances, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairperson Andrea Domingo regarding the apprehension on November 24 of 1,316 Chinese allegedly working illegally for the businessman's online gaming operations at the Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Clark, Pampanga.

Aguirre earlier said that Lam's emissary, retired police Chief Supt. Wally Sombero, told him on November 26 that the Macau-based businessman has been looking for a "godfather" to protect his online gambling business.

Also, Aguirre said that Lam offered PAGCOR's Domingo with "1-percent cut" from his casino earnings so he can continue with his gaming business while applying for a license to operate.

Moreover, the Justice chief said there are efforts of Lam's people to offer as high as P250,000 in exchange for the release of each of the Chinese workers apprehended by the Bureau of Immigration operatives.

Earlier, Lam's camp denied the bribery allegation, saying the businessman arranged for the meeting with Aguirre to explain that he was doing a legitimate business in Clark.

But Fortun insisted that Lam has legal authority to operate Fontana and has an existing license to conduct online gaming in the Clark Economic Zone.

He also argued that the detained Chinese workers were apprehended for alleged violation of Philippine immigration laws and not for illegal online gambling operations. —LBG, GMA News