Atty. Harry Roque at the Department of Justice in Manila on September 7, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) on Wednesday insisted that former Palace spokesman Harry Roque dealt with them on behalf of Lucky South 99, contrary to his claim of representing a certain "Whirlwind Corp."

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Pagcor chief Alejandro Tengco told House lawmakers Wednesday that his meeting with Roque last year was clearly about Lucky South 99, which at that time was attempting to settle its arrears amounting to $500,000. 

"Ang punta po talaga nila sa akin was for Lucky South 99... So definitely with due respect to former Secretary Harry Roque wala pong napag-usapan sa Whirlwind don sa pulong namin... Whirlwind Corp. was never in the discussion," Tengco said. 

(They clearly went to Pagcor for Lucky South 99... We never talked about Whilwind Corp. during our discussion.)

"Roque was helping out a client, that was my impression," he added.

Roque had repeatedly denied his link to Lucky South 99, a formerly-registered Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) raided in Porac, Pampanga last month over allegations of illegal activities. He said that his client was Whirlwind, which he described as a "service provider" to Lucky South 99.

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But Tengco said Pagcor and Whirlwind had no relationship at all.

Tengco also cited again the organizational chart submitted by Lucky South 99 when it reapplied for a license in September last year, which identified Roque as a "Legal" officer.

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In his earlier statement, Roque said that he never served as legal counsel of Lucky South 99, and only went to Pagcor to assist the "lessee and principal of my client Whirlwind Corporation." He said his name was included in the document without his consent.

The Senate has already summoned Roque to attend its investigation into the same issue.

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