หัวหน้า PAGCOR พบปะเจ้าหน้าที่ PAGCEA มุ่งทำงานอย่างใกล้ชิด
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco met with the newly elected officials of the PAGCOR Employees’ Association (PAGCEA) on Monday, 8 September 2025, at the regulator’s corporate offices in Pasay City.
During the meeting, Tengco formally recognised PAGCEA as the sole representative of PAGCOR employees and expressed a willingness to work closely with the union to promote and protect worker welfare. The meeting comes as part of ongoing efforts to improve communication and collaboration between management and staff representatives.
Effort to end disputes
A photograph from the session shows Tengco alongside PAGCEA officers and senior PAGCOR officials. Among the attendees were PAGCEA National President Crisanto Paris, National Vice President Ednardo Capati, and Secretary General Veronica Sy. The union recently conducted internal elections, installing new leadership in senior roles and signalling a refreshed administration within the workers’ organisation.
While the meeting stressed a cooperative approach, the relationship between Tengco and PAGCEA has been occasionally tense in the past. Tengco has previously criticised the union over specific claims and addressed allegations made by employees online.
Last year, a PAGCOR staff member claimed that the regulator had spent on casino renovations ahead of a planned privatisation. Tengco dismissed these assertions as unfounded, reiterating that the organisation’s priorities remained focused on operational integrity and employee welfare.
Winnings retained, chairman confirms
The Chairman also confirmed that PHP 200 million ($3.5 million) in casino prizes had been voided. The prizes in question had originally been won by government officials who are prohibited from gambling due to their public positions. Tengco said the decision to void these prizes shows PAGCOR’s commitment to fairness and strict regulatory compliance in country.
He also dismissed union concerns that privatisation plans could result in 10,000 job layoffs, which would have affected almost the entire workforce. Tengco described these figures as exaggerated and reassured that any organisational changes would prioritise employee welfare.
Throughout the meeting, Tengco stressed the value of open communication and collaboration with PAGCEA. He highlighted PAGCOR’s commitment to hearing employee concerns, addressing valid issues, and maintaining a workplace where staff feel both respected and supported.
Meeting amid tightening gambling rules
This meeting also holds importance given the increased scrutiny of the Philippines’ online gambling sector. Recent Senate hearings have fueled debate over the expansion of illegal gambling platforms and their accessibility via digital payment systems. In response, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued a directive requiring e-wallet providers, including GCash, to cut off access to online gambling sites within 48 hours. GCash has since complied, suspending access to gaming through its “GLife” feature.
These developments indicate the need for PAGCOR to improve internal collaboration and transparency, ensuring that employee concerns are addressed and the organisation remains compliant with national regulations.
