Pagcor: Get the Mayor’s Blessing

Here’s an update on the case in Bacolod.  What’s the old cliche? Never fight city hall.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has clarified that even if authority has been granted them by PAGCOR, Phuture Visions Co. Inc., the company owned by the sons of Rep. Monico Puentevella, will not be able to operate bingo games without a Mayor’s Permit.

In her letter dated March 21, 2007, Margarita Bangi, Pagcor Bingo Department managing head, said they will wait for the decision of the court on the case involving the closure of the bingo outlet of PVI at SM City mall in Bacolod City, before acting on the request of the city government. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia had written PAGCOR chairman and chief executive officer Efraim Genuino on Feb. 23 informing him that his office did not issue to PVI, that is being operated by the family of Puentevella, the Mayor’s Certificate of No Objection, which is a requirement for the conferment of provisional Grant of Authority to operate bingo games at SM-Bacolod.

He informed PAGCOR that PVI has not been issued the Mayor’s Permit as it had not even applied for its issuance. He also requested PAGCOR to recall or revoke the provisional GOA to operate traditional bingo games obtained by PVI “for want of a Mayor’s Certification of No Objection” and for failure to secure a Mayor’s Permit within 30 days from notice of such provisional grant.