Genuino seeks dismissal of 39 cases

MANILA, Philippines - Arguing that the Office of the Ombudsman indicted him based on baseless accusations, former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chairman Efraim Genuino is asking the Sandiganbayan to junk the 39 cases that have been filed against him.

“The above transactions involved Pagcor’s private corporate funds and not public funds. Without public funds, there can be no crime of malversation,” Genuino’s lawyers said in separate motions to quash filed before the anti-graft court’s third division.

Genuino is facing 19 graft cases and 20 malversation of public funds charges for alleged offenses committed during his term at Pagcor, including the questionable promotion of the film “Baler” which resulted in alleged loss and misuse of government funds.

Despite his numerous cases, he is out on bail after paying a total of P1.77 million in exchange for his temporary liberty.