PAGCOR chair still enjoys President’s trust, confidence — Palace official

MANILA –- Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairman Cristino Naguiat Jr. continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of President Benigno S. Aquino III, a Palace official said on Thursday.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma stressed in a press briefing in response to reported attempt to block the reappointment of Naguiat amidst various issues that have been raised against his agency.

“Lahat nang pagkilos ng lahat ng pinuno ng ahensiya sa pamahalaan ay naaayon sa mga proseso ng batas,” he said.

Coloma cited an audit being undertaken by the Commission on Audit (COA) which has representatives from government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) like PAGCOR.

“At meron namang nakatakdang proseso para alamin kung mayroong mga iregularidad o hindi naaayon sa patakaran na naisagawa at para magdeklara ang COA ng notice of suspension or notice of disallowance,” he said.

Further, the PCOO chief said there is also a process in conducting administrative proceedings.

“Wala namang naging dahilan para magsimula ng ganyang proseso patungkol kay chairman Naguiat,” Coloma said.