THE Commission on Audit (CoA) said it found deficiencies in the processes of Global ComRCI, the third-party partner of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) in auditing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
“May possibility po kasi, there are unauthorized person na makapag-access po dun sa ating audit platform. Pwede po makita ’yung mga confidential data as well as possible na magkaroon, if ever na may malicious intent with the database, pwede po nila i-edit ’yung mga data po nila (It is possible for unauthorized persons to access the audit platform to view confidential data and even alter the data maliciously)” CoA representative Rayziell S. Verunque said Tuesday in a House committee on games and amusements hearing.
Ms. Verunque said Global ComRCI “sometimes” cannot log out of its own audit platform which indicates a security risk for the records of POGO licensees.
Asked if CoA recommends that PAGCOR should terminate its partnership with Global ComRCI, Ms. Verunque replied that a full report is still being prepared.
Rep. Enrico A. Pineda of 1-PACMAN Party List said that the panel wants to ensure that the government is getting its money’s worth from the partnership with the third-party auditing firm.
“We just want to be assured that you know, what we are paying for, that the government is getting its money’s worth. Kasi sayang naman kung meron tayong kontratang ganito kalaki (It would be a waste for such a large contract),” he said.
PAGCOR’s contract with Global ComRCI is worth P600 million per year or P6 billion for the 10-year duration of the agreement, Mr. Pineda said during the hearing. — Genshen L. Espedido
