Group files graft raps vs. Makati’s Abby Binay over online gambling

 

An anti-corruption group asked the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday to indict Mayor Abigail Binay for graft over alleged continued proliferation of illegal online gambling in Makati City.

In its complaint, the Anti-Trapo Movement of the Philippines (ATM) pressed charges of violations of Sections 3 (e) and (j) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as the code of conduct for public officials against Binay for her supposed failure to stop the illegal activity.

Named as Binay’s co-respondents in the case were Makati Business Permits Office head Maribert Pagente and several "John and Jane Does" working for the city government.

“[D]espite the public disclosures made by the media, it appears that the City Government of Makati has remained oblivious and un-moving to permanently put a stop to these illegal activities, depriving not only the city of Makati but the national government of considerable income in taxes which could have translated to additional services needed by the Filipino tax-paying public,” the group said.

Last month's police raid on Hao Ying Solutions Inc. is proof that illegal online gambling continues to exist in the city.

The firm, which had registered as a business process outsourcing center, was found running an online casino without authorization inside a commercial building in Makati City.

Leon Estrella Peralta, ATM's founding chairman, said illegal gambling outfits present invalid or illegitimate online gambling licenses from unauthorized offices in order to get a mayor’s business permit and operate in the city.

Likewise, Peralta said these entities are able to continue with their activities because Makati’s top officials “do not exercise due diligence” in processing business applications.

The ATM said there have been reports as far back as 2013 that  illegal gambling operations in Makati were being run by “a well-connected syndicate” but the local government has reportedly failed to put a stop to them. 

Makati LGU reacts

Meanwhile, lawyer Michael Camina, city legal officer, said the local government has yet to receive a copy of the complaint but maintained that they have a strict policy against illegal gambling.

“This group is sadly misinformed. Makati has a strict policy against illegal gambling. Only gaming establishments with licenses from appropriate government agencies are allowed to operate within the city.

“If they are referring to establishments issued permits and operating within Economic Zones, we would like to stress that these establishments applied for and were given business permits as support services to offshore gaming companies. They are licensed by PEZA. They should not be operating as gaming facilities,” he said.

Camina added that “in the last four months, the city government has closed down or given show cause orders to over 90 business establishments, including online gaming firms, operating either without a valid license or violating the restrictions on their business permits.” — LBG/RSJ, GMA News