đź“·Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Alejandro Tengco
Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque is the “legal head” of recently seized Philippine offshore gaming operation Lucky South 99, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Alejandro Tengco said on Wednesday, July 10.
During the fourth Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality on illegal POGOs, Tengco said Roque had liaised for the POGO and that the former Cabinet secretary had brought Katherine Cassandra Ong, the authorized representative of Lucky South 99, to his office for a meeting in July 2023.
“So noon pong ika dalawampu’t anim ng Hulyo 2023, nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na bumisita po sa aking tanggapan sa Pagcor – noon pong nasa Ermita pa kami — siya po ay nabigyan ng appointment at siya po ay dumating sa aking tanggapan,” Tengco said.
PAGCOR Assistant Vice President for Offshore Gaming License Department Jessa Mariz Fernandez was also at the meeting with Roque and Ong, Tengo mentioned.
Tengco said Ong was having issues with reference to the arrears of Lucky South 99 with PAGCOR totaling $500,000 as she had given Dennis Cunanan the Pagcor payments instead of supposedly remitting them. She wanted permission to pay in installments.
“Sabi nya, siya ay nagtiwala sakanilang authorized representative na si Dennis Cunanan. ‘Yun daw na anim na buwan na dapat ibayad nilang buwis sa PAGCOR, binibigay nya kay Cunanan para ibayad sa PAGCOR,” Tengco said.
“Bukod sa mga buwanang dapat bayaran sa PAGCOR, ang sabi ni Binibining Cassandra Lee Ong, may sinisingil na additional fees na fines and penalties si Ginoong Dennis Cunanan kay Cassandra,” Tencgo added.
Fernandez, who was with Tengco at the hearing, said Roque contacted her six times to follow up on Lucky South 99’s license reapplication because it is set to expire at that time.
Tengco and Fernandez did clarify, though, that Roque was not pressing them to license the mentioned POGO company.
“Uulitin ko rin po. Hindi po naman niya ako pine-pressure. Kumbaga, bilang abogado siguro – bilang kliyente niya. Nagfa-facilitate lang siya at nakikiusap lang siya,” he added.
Ong said that this was the reason they were shocked to learn from PAGCOR that they had six months’ worth of unpaid taxes, Tengco said.
“Sabi ko sakanya, ano ba ang inyong pakay dito? Nakikiusap sila kung pwedeng bigyan sila ng pagkakataon mabayaran yung arrears,” Tengco said.
“Habang nagpupulong kami noon, meron nang nagbabayad ng portion ng $500,000,” he added.
PAGCOR had also said before this disclosure that a former “high-ranking” Cabinet official had been advocating for the licenses to illegal Pogos, which had lately been raided.
Roque denies claim
In a separate statement, Roque has firmly denied reports that claimed he served as legal counsel for Lucky South 99, Incorporated, or any illegal POGO.
Roque further rebutted Senator Risa Hontiveros’ allegations of misrepresentation, particularly concerning his connection to Whirlwind Corporation.
“I am not and have never been a legal counsel to any illegal POGO. Neither was I counsel to Lucky South 99, Incorporated. I also did not participate in preparing Lucky South’s organizational chart, which identified me as their legal counsel,” Roque said.
“I clarify that I did not consent to nor was I informed of my name’s inclusion in any submission by Lucky South with PAGCOR regarding license renewal,” Roque added, challenging any suggestion that he played a direct role in preparing such documentation.
Regarding allegations surrounding Cassandra Ong’s representation of Lucky South, Roque cited documented records confirming Dennis Cunanan as the POGO’s official liaison to PAGCOR during pertinent meetings.
Roque emphasized his involvement with Ong stemmed from legal representation efforts for Whirlwind Corporation, noting ongoing legal proceedings involving the company.
“I have no reason to deny my legal engagement with Lucky South if there is truth to it,” Roque affirmed. “Providing legal representation is why the legal profession exists.”
Roque concluded by asserting the sanctity of attorney-client relationships and the absence of any conflict of interest in his legal dealings. As scrutiny continues, his statement aims to clarify his professional role amid ongoing legal and regulatory inquiries. (TCSP)
