Questions on Aquino’s clearance of Naguiat

ellen tordesillas

Making life worth living.

President Aquino immediately cleared his classmate and friend Cristino Naguiat Jr of allegations by Wynn Resorts that he was the recipient of of the generosity of his former friend and partner Kazuo Okada.

Click here for Wynn’ suit vs Okada

Of course, Aquino later asked Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. to investigate allegations of breathtaking gifts showered by Okada, whose Universal Entertainment Corp is building a casino at the reclaimed Manila Bay area, to Naguiat whom Aquino has appointed chairman ang chief operating officer of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

PAGCOR regulates and operates casinos in the country.

Malacanang has brushed aside the impropriety of the perks that Naguiat, members of his family including their nanny and other Pagcor officials got from Wynn Resorts in one of their visits to Macau (free accommodation in Wynn Resorts luxury suite, $1,673 dinner, $20,000 cash gifts, $1,878I Chanel bag which Naguiat returned) saying that’s “industry practice.”

In Tagalog, ganyan naman talaga ang kalakaran.

A friend forwarded to me a letter which raised common-sense issues on Aquino’s clearance of Naguiat. I’m sharing some parts because they reflect the sentiments of many I talked with:

“If there is a bribe-giver, then it follows that there is a bribe-taker.

“Regardless of where you are or in which country you belong, if there is an accusation of bribery, there should immediately be an investigation rather that clearing the alleged bribe-taker (and then ordering an investigation after the public cries foul of the exoneration).

“If this happened in Singapore, Malaysia, Hongkong or Japan, the person would have immediately resigned.

“ Naguiat’s excuse is that the perks are industry practices and that he stayed at Wynn Macau for business purposes. He also says that the license given to okada had been issued in the past, so there is no reason for bribing him. Let us analyze these excuses:

a. If Naguiat’s claims are true, why did he check- in the hotel with his party incognito? Why didn’t he register under his name or Pagcor? Who goes to a business meeting in a hotel and checks-in incognito? Sa pagkaalam ko, iyong mga nag-checheck-in incognito are those who engage in illicit activities.

b. They said Okada has been issued a license so there is no more reason to bribe.

“Look at the exhibits in the case. Iit says that the license given to Okada is only provisional until the completion of the project, when the final license will be given.

“I believe Okada was playing it safe because he knew that when the new administration came in, all contracts entered into by the past administration will be reviewed. If you follow the claims in the complaint that Okada manipulated the ownership of the Philippine company that entered into an agreement with Pgcor for the entertainment city project, it’s expected that Okada would make sure that he is in good graces with the new regulators who will issue the final license.

c. Pnoy stressed that the Chanel bag meant for Naguiat’s wife was returned.

“Take note of the details found in the complaint, i.e.- Naguiat insinuated that his wife wanted such a bag; Okada’s people bought the bag and showed it to Naguiat who did not like the bag (maybe the style or the color) and, hence, did not accept it.

“It was also stated in said complaint that the bag went to the wife of Okada’s representative.

“Question: Had Naguiat liked the bag, would he have accepted the bag? Why, in heaven’s name, did he to tell his host that his wife wanted a Chanel bag? Couldn’t he just asked one of his Pagcor people (who was with him) to go out and buy the bag with his own money, assuming that he did not have time to go out and purchase such a bag?

“It’s expected that the host would make sure that his guest’s needs are satisfied. So, when Naguiat made the insinuation about the bag, what would the host do, play dead-ma?

“Is this daang matuwid?”