Proposed Separation Under Review
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is awaiting a decision from the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GCG) regarding its proposal to separate its regulatory and commercial functions. According to an official report from the PAGCOR News Archive, Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco shared this update during his keynote address at the IAG Academy Summit 2026, held at Newport World Resorts Manila on September 15, 2026.
Tengco stated that the proposal is currently under review by the GCG, with a decision expected “very soon.” Once the GCG completes its evaluation, the proposal will be endorsed to the Office of the President. “Should the President find merit in the proposal, an Executive Order will be issued to implement the separation of PAGCOR’s regulatory and commercial functions,” Tengco explained.
Addressing Conflicts of Interest and Industry Evolution
The proposed decoupling represents a major institutional reform. Tengco emphasized that the move is aimed at strengthening the agency rather than focusing on revenue generation. He noted that the reform is necessary to resolve the inherent conflict of interest in PAGCOR’s current structure, stating, “You do not want a regulator to regulate its own operations.”
According to Tengco, the Philippine gaming landscape has evolved dramatically since the establishment of Casino Filipino, largely driven by private sector licensees and rapid advancements in Electronic Gaming. To remain competitive and effective, Tengco argued that institutions must evolve as quickly as the industries they oversee, allowing PAGCOR to eventually dedicate its resources primarily to regulation.
PAGCOR has already begun preparing for these changes, which carry several major institutional implications:
- Legal and financial adjustments to separate state-run operations from oversight duties.
- Operational and human resource restructuring to transition staff and resources.
- A primary focus on regulation to ensure fair play and industry alignment.
Source Note
This report is based entirely on an official release from the PAGCOR News Archive.
