TLDR
- PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco says gaming rules must keep evolving as the Philippine industry grows.
- Tengco spoke at The Regulators Forum at Newport World Resorts in Pasay City on September 18.
- PAGCOR is pushing to separate its regulatory and operating functions.
- The proposal is under review by the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations.
- If approved, the plan will go to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a final decision.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, known as PAGCOR, says its rules must keep changing as the country’s gaming industry grows. The comment came from PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco.
Tengco made the remarks at The Regulators Forum. The event was held at Newport World Resorts in Pasay City on September 18.
He said the agency must regularly check how well it is meeting its goals. This includes looking at what is working and what needs to change.
Tengco said PAGCOR should stay open to correction. He added that the agency should be ready to learn and act when change is needed.
Stable Rules for Legitimate Operators
PAGCOR said a good regulatory system should respond to real world events. At the same time, it should protect the public and support businesses that follow the rules.
Tengco said the agency must protect the integrity of the gaming industry. He also said license holders need a stable and predictable environment to operate in.
This matters because the Philippine gaming industry is growing quickly. PAGCOR wants to handle new challenges without creating confusion for operators.
Tengco focused on the need for a flexible framework. He said PAGCOR wants its oversight to stay useful as conditions in the industry change.
The agency’s job includes watching the industry, setting standards, and fixing rules when needed. Tengco said this work requires ongoing review rather than a one time fix.
PAGCOR Plans to Split Its Functions
Tengco also talked about a plan to separate PAGCOR’s regulatory work from its operating work. This idea is part of a larger reform plan for the agency.
Under the proposal, PAGCOR’s role as a regulator would be split from its role running gaming operations. Tengco said this split would let PAGCOR do a better job setting standards for the industry.
He said the change would also help create fair competition among legal operators. Splitting the two roles could give PAGCOR a clearer focus on regulation.
The plan is currently being reviewed by the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations, known as GCG. The GCG is expected to make a decision on the proposal.
Its review is seen as an important step before the plan can move ahead. No date has been given for when this review will finish.
Once the GCG finishes its review, the plan goes to the Office of the President. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will then decide whether to move forward with splitting PAGCOR’s roles.
If the President agrees with the plan, an executive order would make the split official. This order would formally separate PAGCOR’s regulatory and operating duties.
The goal of the split is to make PAGCOR’s responsibilities clearer. It is also meant to strengthen the agency’s ability to watch over gaming operators.
The plan connects to PAGCOR’s wider goal of offering steady rules for legal businesses. No timeline has been set for when the proposal will reach the President’s desk.
