Sandigan Reaffirms Ex-PAGCOR Chief Graft Conviction On P50-M Fund Misuse

Former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairman Efraim Genuino.

Sandigan Reaffirms Ex-PAGCOR Chief Graft Conviction On P50-M Fund Misuse

By Wilma N. Yamzon TheNationWeek.Com | October 7, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan has reaffirmed its conviction of former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairman Efraim Genuino and four other ex-officials for the misuse of P50.05 million in state funds.

In a resolution dated Oct. 1, 2025, the court’s Third Division dismissed motions for reconsideration filed by Genuino and his co-accused, stating they “failed to raise new and material allegations” that would warrant overturning the original guilty verdict.

The ruling also applies to former PAGCOR president and COO Rafael Francisco, former senior vice president Rene Figueroa, former senior vice president Edward “Dodie” King, and former assistant vice president Valente Custodio.

The initial conviction, handed down on May 9, 2025, found the five guilty on multiple counts of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds.

The Sandiganbayan also granted the prosecution’s motion to impose civil liability.

Genuino and his colleagues are now jointly and severally liable to reimburse the government P40.407 million, subject to a six-percent annual interest from the finality of the decision.

The case, filed by the Ombudsman in 2013, centers on alleged irregularities in PAGCOR fund disbursements between 2005 and 2008. These funds were used for promotional materials and expenses related to the BIDA Foundation, founded by Genuino.

The court found that the purchases bypassed standard public bidding procedures, with Genuino and his co-accused resorting to “shopping” or small-value procurement without proper justification.

The court highlighted over P9 million spent on BIDA members’ identification cards and pins as a key example of fund misuse.