• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Jack Lam to be charged with Philippines bribery

Oct 30, 2017 Newsdesk Latest News, Philippines, Top of the deck  


Jack Lam to be charged with Philippines bribery

Chinese casino entrepreneur Jack Lam Yin Lok (pictured) faces the possibility of a prison sentence in the Philippines after being charged there with one count of violation of Presidential Decree 46 “for giving PHP50 million [US$967,000]” to officials of that country’s Bureau of Immigration. The charge was mentioned in a statement on Friday by the nation’s Office of the Ombudsman.

In February a local lawyer representing Mr Lam told the Philippine Senate committee examining the affair that his client would not be returning to that country. In March, the Philippine Senate concluded Mr Lam had been the subject of attempted extortion.

In Friday’s announcement into the alleged bribery incident, the anti-graft body stated Mr Lam was nonetheless culpable for allegedly offering the money.

It stated: “Investigations conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman established that [Al] Argosino and [Michael] Robles received PHP50 million from Chinese businessman Jack Lam in a deal facilitated by [Wenceslao] Sombero.”

Presidential Decree 46, passed in 1972 during the regime of President Ferdinand Marcos, makes it an offence – punishable by imprisonment for between one and five years – “for public officials and employees to receive, and for private persons to give, gifts on any occasion”.

Friday’s statement said additionally: “Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has ordered the filing of charges for plunder under Republic Act No. 7080 against [former] Bureau of Immigration (BI) [deputy] commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles, together with Wenceslao Sombero, Jr, president of the Asian Gaming Service Providers Association, Inc (AGSPA), after they were found to have extorted PHP50 million in exchange for the release of 1,316 arrested Chinese nationals who were violating Philippine immigration laws.”

The act, passed in 1991, says those found guilty of plunder can be punished by life imprisonment, with “perpetual absolute disqualification from holding any public office”.

Senate inquiry

Earlier this year, the Philippine Senate began an investigation into the alleged PHP50-million bribe said to have been offered by Mr Sombero as a go-between for Mr Lam, to former Bureau of Immigration deputy commissioners Mr Argosino and Mr Robles. It was said to be in exchange for the release of 1,316 Chinese nationals arrested in November 2016 on alleged visa irregularities at a facility linked to Mr Lam at Clark Freeport Zone on Luzon island.

In December last year, the Philippine leader, President Rodrigo Duterte, ordered the arrest of Mr Lam for alleged bribery and economic sabotage. At around the same time, it was reported that the local regulator, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) had officially closed two gaming locations operated by Mr Lam’s business interests in that country: the casino at the Fontana Hot Spring Leisure Parks at Clark; and the gaming venue at the Fort Ilocandia Hotel and Casino in Laoag City.

Friday’s statement from the ombudsman noted: “[Former] Bureau of Immigration intelligence chief Charles Calima, Jr faces one count each for direct bribery and for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 while Lam will be charged with one count of violation of Presidential Decree 46 for giving PHP50 million to the Bureau of Immigration officials.”

Section 3 of Republic Act 3019, a statute passed in 1960, deals with “corrupt practices of public officers”. Violation of it can lead to a prison term of between one and 10 years, as well as disqualification from public office.

Friday’s announcement further stated, citing ombudsman Ms Morales: “Argosino and Robles used their official functions as deputy commissioners of the Bureau of Immigration in the commission of the said crimes while Sombero acted as a conspirator and middle man.”

She further said that “Sombero’s indispensable role and representation as president of AGSPA paved the way for the consummation of the transaction. On the other hand, Calima’s criminal liability stems from his participation in the extortion plot as he received PHP18 million from Argosino and Robles to, among other things, keep his silence.”


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Philippines again moots Pagcor sticks to oversight not ops
    Philippines again moots Pagcor sticks...

    Dec 12, 2022  

  • RGB tech support, mgmt for Clark’s Capital Casino
    RGB tech support, mgmt for...

    Jul 08, 2022  

More news
  • Foreigners can use HK-Macau free ticket says tourism boss
    Foreigners can use HK-Macau free ticket...

    Mar 27, 2023  

  • Raffles hotel checks complete at Galaxy Phase 3: MGTO
    Raffles hotel checks complete at Galaxy...

    Mar 27, 2023  


Latest News

Foreigners can use HK-Macau free ticket says tourism boss

Foreigners can use HK-Macau free ticket says tourism boss

Mar 27, 2023  

Tourists from overseas travelling to Macau via Hong Kong will also be eligible for a free single-leg journey by bus or ferry from participating carriers, said on Monday Macau’s tourism boss. Maria...
Read More
Raffles hotel checks complete at Galaxy Phase 3: MGTO

Raffles hotel checks complete at Galaxy Phase 3: MGTO

Mar 27, 2023  

Melco’s Studio City has foreigner-only bet zone: checks

Melco’s Studio City has foreigner-only bet zone: checks

Mar 27, 2023  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”Human capital constraints and skill gaps pose a key challenge for Macau to substantially reduce its high dependence on the gaming industry”

George Xu, Andrew Fennell and Jan Friederich

Analysts at Fitch Ratings



Most Popular

  • Macau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: FitchMacau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: Fitch March 24, 2023
  • Sands China woos Singaporeans as Air Macau opens routeSands China woos Singaporeans as Air Macau opens route March 23, 2023
  • Melco’s Studio City has foreigner-only bet zone: checksMelco’s Studio City has foreigner-only bet zone: checks March 27, 2023
  • Raffles hotel checks complete at Galaxy Phase 3: MGTORaffles hotel checks complete at Galaxy Phase 3: MGTO March 27, 2023
  • Main-building work at Naga 3 begins mid-2023: NagaCorpMain-building work at Naga 3 begins mid-2023: NagaCorp March 24, 2023
Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us