The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have filed graft complaints against suspended Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil and several other local officials in connection with alleged illegal activities in their jurisdiction.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that, in addition to Capil, the respondents include Vice Mayor Francis Laurence Tamayo, Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) Officer-in-Charge Emerald Vital, and Sangguniang Bayan members Rohner Buan, Rafael Canlapan, Adrian Carreon, Regin Clarete, Essel Joy David, Hilario Dimalanta, Michelle Santos, and John Nuevy Venzon.
The officials are accused of violating Sections 3(e), (f), and (j) of Republic Act 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Bulacan Provincial Prosecutor Ramoncito Ocampo Jr. stated that the charges resulted from a coordinated investigation by the PAOCC, DOJ, and PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, along with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.
The case stems from the operations of Lucky South 99, an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Central Luzon, which authorities claim was involved in cyber scam activities.
The respondents are alleged to have approved permits for the company from 2021 to 2023 with undue haste, despite incomplete application forms. They are also accused of failing to address reports of criminal activities, including human trafficking, tied to Lucky South 99. (Benjamin Pulta | Philippine News Agency)
