Gambling center of Asia MR. EXPOSE Amb. Ernesto Maceda 07/06/2010

Gambling center of Asia

MR. EXPOSE Amb. Ernesto Maceda 07/06/2010 Archbishop Oscar Cruz has correctly asked President Benigno Aquino III to bare his gambling policy after he appointed Ateneo classmate Cristino “Bong” Naguiat as Chairman/CEO of Pagcor. Since he ran and won on a platform of anti-corruption and choosing the high moral road, P-Noy must look with priority into the current gambling situation which is the worst of all of Asia and probably the world except Las Vegas. Under GMA, FG and Ephraim Genuino, there have been literally more than a thousand casinos, Internet gambling parlors, poker parlors, bingo halls, slot machine parlors, small town lottery outlets and recently, Jai-Alai off track betting parlors and soon dog racing in Mandaue, Cebu. And the casinos are much bigger. Maxims Casino will have 1,000 tables in five floors. All of these gambling outlets alongside jueteng collectors, masiao outlets, daily horseracing, daily cockfights, you can also bet on boxing, NBA, PBA and UAAP basketball games by telephone or text. Just like revenue collecting Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs, Pagcor has become a lucrative cash cow for the powers that be. If ran honestly, Pagcor can produce P5 billion more of revenue. Franchises highly disadvantageous to the government have been granted to Maxims, Marina Hyatt and Fontana Leisure resorts. Note that there are now more than 25 casinos in the greater Metro Manila area including Thunderbird resorts in Binangonan, Rizal and also in Imus, Cavite. There are six casinos in Angeles City alone. There are casinos in Olongapo City, Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, Tagaytay, Poro Point, Laoag, Dakak/Dapitan and the Cagayan CEZA in Sta. Ana.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100706com4.html

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