China still verifying info on Jack Lam case

MANILA, Philippines - The Chinese government is still gathering information on Chinese gaming operator Jack Lam, whom President Duterte ordered arrested for alleged economic sabotage.

In a press briefing over the weekend, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said the ministry has taken note of the case of Lam in the Philippines.

“We have taken note of the reports and will get to know further details. As far as I know, the Chinese embassy in the Philippines is making verification, ready to provide consular assistance to the involved Chinese citizen within its capacity,” Lu added.

Duterte’s order to arrest Lam is based on charges of economic sabotage against Lam for the allegedly illegal online casino facilities inside Lam’s Fontana Leisure Park and Casino Hotel in Clark Field, Pampanga.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Lam could also be arrested for violating immigration laws by harboring 1,316 undocumented Chinese workers in Fontana. The workers were arrested but 57 of them escaped from their temporary detention facility inside Fontana.

Aguirre ordered the Bureau of Immigration to investigate the escape of the 57 Chinese workers. He disclosed that the Chinese workers allegedly offered a bribe of P100,000 to P250,000 each for their release. Of the 57 who escaped, 31 have returned to BI custody while 26 remain at large.

Aguirre also said Lam’s camp attempted to bribe him and Philippine Amusement and gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chair Andrea Domingo.

On Thursday, Aguirre told reporters that Lam attempted to bribe him with monthly payoffs to be a “godfather” or protector of his supposed illegal online gambling business.

He said Lam’s supposed offer to Domingo is to allow Fontana to continue its online gaming operations while applying for a license in exchange for one-percent commission from the income of the gaming operations.

Aguirre said the bribery attempt occurred in a hotel in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig on Nov. 26, two days after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested the Chinese working at Fontana on charges of overstaying and other violations of immigration laws.

Aguirre said Lam was present during the meeting but it was the latter’s interpreter, retired police chief superintendent Wally Sombero, who relayed the bribery offer as the gambling tycoon supposedly does not speak English or Filipino.

Lam’s camp had vehemently denied Aguirre’s allegations, maintaining that he does not need any protection as Fontana is a legitimate business entity with legal operations.

Aguirre admitted that he cannot pursue legal charges against Lam or Sombero as it was only his perception that he was being bribed.

Prove bribery claim

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has urged Aguirre to substantiate his claim that Lam attempted to bribe him.

Speaking at an anti-corruption forum in Quezon City on Friday, Morales said her office cannot act on an allegation without proof or details.

“Respecting Secretary Aguirre’s alleged attempted bribery, he has to come up with details of this. I can always claim also that I was...well, actually, no one has offered me bribe, not even half potato,” she added.

Morales said her office cannot launch an investigation based on mere claim or perception.

“Those who claimed to have been offered bribe should come up with details, for the ombudsman to motu propio initiate an investigation. Because as I always say, we cannot be groping in the dark. You give us leads,” she said.

“Our plate is full and in light of the fact that there are so many cases, which are subjected to investigation, I would wish that any incident of attempted or actual bribery should be brought to us with details so that we can speedily conduct fact-finding or even go direct to preliminary investigation,” she added. – With Elizabeth Marcelo