Philippines online gambling licensing issue claims another victim

The row over the authority to issue online gambling licenses outside its jurisdiction by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone that has already seen two APECO officials fired by President Rodrigo Duterte (see previous reports) has claimed another victim…this time Rudolf Jurado, head of the government’s Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC).

In a typically fiery public speech in Malacañang this week the president announced that he had fired Jurado over his legal opinion justifying the grant of a 75-year gaming franchise to a free port locator in Aurora.

“You are fired. I do not need you and maybe you do not need me,” the president announced, adding there are “thousands of lawyers there waiting for an appropriate opportunity to work in government.”

Duterte criticised Jurado’s legal opinion that the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone can issue online gambling permits outside its territorial jurisdiction.

“When you are granted a franchise to conduct gambling in a certain facility, it does not include farming out that franchise to other cities and provinces,” the President said.

Jurado was somewhat more restrained in issuing a statement accepting the president’s decision, commenting:

“I accept and respect our President’s decision. As an appointee who serves under his pleasure, I am honored to have been given a chance to serve under his administration.”

Jurado was appointed to the OGCC post in April last year. He previously served as legal counsel for watchdog Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, a group supportive of Duterte and his tough campaign against criminality.

Related and similar