THE Department of Justice has ordered the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel to review Nayon Pilipino Foundation Inc.’s (NPFI) lease contract with Landing Resorts Philippines Development Inc.
In a text message to reporters, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said he has “instructed the office of the government counsel, as statutory counsel of all Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations (GOCC), under the direct supervision of the Department of Justice, to immediately review all the relevant facts and re-evaluate and examine all contracts, agreements, and other documents pertaining to this questioned transaction, including the legal opinions previously rendered by the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel to its client, Nayong Pilipino Foundation, Inc.”
“The removal of all the board members of the Nayong Pilipino board, by itself alone, does not affect the implementation of the project,” Mr. Guevarra said of resort and casino project between NPFI and Landing Resorts, a subsidiary of Chinese casino operator Landing International Development Ltd.
For its part, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) said in a statement on Thursday: “In the light of recent developments regarding the lease agreement between Nayong Pilipino Foundation and Landing Resorts Philippines Development Corporation (LRPDC), the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) reiterates that the Provisional License it issued to LRPDC is precisely conditioned upon the latter’s continuing compliance with all the legal requirements and existing limitations of government, including the presence of a valid lease contract between the parties concerned for the establishment of a Filipino heritage theme park-cum integrated resort casino in Entertainment City.”
“Being an agency under the Office of the President, PAGCOR reaffirms its commitment and readiness to support the policies and pronouncements of the President pertaining to the country’s gaming industry.”
“As regulator, PAGCOR is duty-bound to ensure that all gaming-related regulations are adhered to, balancing the responsibility of increasing badly-needed revenues for the government and safeguarding the best interest of the Filipino people.”

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