GAB chairman under fire for dicey gamble
THE former chief of the anti-illegal gambling unit of the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) has slapped charges against the agency’s chairman, Juan Ramon Guanzon, who gave him the boot for opposing the creation of a parallel anti-gambling unit that was allegedly composed of individuals ”with pending criminal cases.”
Rolando Basmayor, a former police officer, sued GAB and Guanzon for breach of contract and to seek damages for his ordeal which, according to him, began when the GAB head created a “special regional anti-gambling unit” in February without his knowledge. The case is docketed as Civil Case No. 11-292 before the Regional Trial Court of Makati City.
Guanzon is reportedly related to the wife of businessman Herminio Aquino, President Benigno Aquino 3rd’s uncle.
In his complaint, Basmayor said that he strongly opposed the creation of the new anti-gambling unit because the individuals who were being appointed at the time did not belong to any of the government agencies listed in Presidential Administrative Order No. 222 stipulating as to where detailed personnel should be drawn from.
The new Cavite-based group, he claimed, is composed of private individuals whom he later learned to have pending criminal cases filed against them.
“The group is headed by one Peter Ignacio, who is charged with ‘highway robbery’ and ‘falsification of public documents,’” Basmayor said.
“A reliable source,” he added, “states that the true goal of this group is not to quell the rampant gambling activities [in] the area it was established, but rather to centralize the ‘tong collection’ operation in its supposed area of responsibility.”
The complainant said that he immediately informed Guanzon about his findings and argued that “the alleged acts committed by the chairman and the unit he created to carry on with his activities would reflect on his leadership and any illegal acts committed by the unit would be blamed on him.”
Unexpected reaction
Instead of heeding the information, Guanzon allegedly got mad and humiliated Basmayor in front of other GAB employees.
Basmayor was allegedly accused of being a “coward and an insubordinate.”
According to laywer Gilbert Zulueta, the complainant’s counsel, Guanzon tried to convince his client to just agree to his decision at first.
But when Basmayor refused, “his contract was arbitrarily/unilaterally terminated.”
The Manila Times was able to reach through phone Guanzon, who confirmed that indeed there was a breach of contract case filed against GAB and him before the Makati trial court.
He, however, refused to make further comments without the guidance of his lawyer.
“Thank you for making the effort to get the side of GAB about the breach of contract case against the GAB. It is an alleged breach by GAB filed by a disgruntled consultant who wants the office to pay damages aside from the stipulated compensation,” Guanzon said in a text message.
“However, as much as I would like to discuss the matter with you, please let me consult counsel first. I hope you understand that I have to respect the proceedings of the court [sub judice],” he added.
Basmayor’s lawyers at the Zulueta Law Office prayed for a favorable decision on the following: that the termination of the contract was illegal; the payment of actual damages in the amount of P100,000; moral damages in the amount of P500,000; nominal damages in the amount of P50,000; exemplary damages in the amount of not less than P50,000; attorney fees in the amount of not less than P50,000; appearance fees in the amount of P3,000; and litigation expenses in the amount of not less than P50,000.
Guanzon first grabbed headlines when GAB declared in March that jai alai operation in the country was illegal.
He issued a cease-and-desist order on March 3, 2011 against Meridien Vista Gaming Corp. which was asked to close down all its off-fronton betting stations.
Meridien operates jai-alai under a license it obtained from the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA).
Under its charter, CEZA may operate on its own or license its operation to other tourism-related activities, including games, amusement, recreational and sports facilities.
But GAB, according to Guanzon, was created in 1951 through Executive Order No. 392 to exercise powers, duties and functions over fronton and Basque pelota games, Guanzon said.
In an effort to save what’s left of it, Meridien proposed an “amicable” settlement with the gaming board to allow it to operate jai alai games, saying that it was willing to submit to regulations that the board may impose.
Philippines Pampanga Best Restaurant opens Wine Bar and Lounge in Clark Philippines, attracting wine lovers and tourist in Angeles City and Subic looking for good nightlife spot near Manila.
Food and wine lovers in Manila laud Yats Restaurant as the best restaurant in Angeles City Pampanga, a special restaurant that offers guests a real treat every time they wine and dine in this top rated restaurant in Clark Philippines which is surprisingly child friendly also. Families frequently bring their children to enjoy a family dinner at the best restaurant in Angeles City Pampanga, a weekly treat for family bonding and some relaxation also. Tourists and business executives visit the best restaurant in Clark Pampanga after a game of golf or a long day at the office to relax and unwind, drink and eat with friends and business associates.
Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.
A Well-known Restaurant in Pampnga, an interesting place to celebrate Birthday Party in Pampnga.
A best place to dine with friends in Pampanga
Best Restaurant in Angeles City Pampanga unveils special dinner menus featuring regional cuisines in France, Italy and USA, all designed to pair very well with fine vintage wines, a real treat for food and wine lovers traveling out of town from Manila to the North to visit Subic, Tarlac, Clark Pampanga Philippines
The Magnum Room Wine Lounge and Wine Bar offers business executives as well as tourist and frequent visitors to Clark Pampanga the best place to drink, relax and unwind outside of Manila. Located near Angeles City, Pampanga, Subic and Clark Philippines, this elegant lounge of Yats Restaurant in Mimosa Clark offers all sorts of after dinner drinks such as port wine, Sauternes, Barsac, Ice Wine and other sweet dessert wines, Armagnac, Cognac, Single Malt, Luxury Vodka and other interesting liquor and spirits. Smokers particular enjoy the selection of Cuban cigars available in this top rated wine bar in Clark. The Magnum Room is one the top rated bar and lounge in Manila, Pampanga, Angeles City, Subic and Clark Philippines.
For comments, inquiries and reservations click on Click here for inquiry and reservations
Restaurant@Yats-International.com
(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401
Ask for Pedro and Rechel
Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Philippines? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.
Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
For any assistance in planning and organizing a wedding ceremony, indoor or outdoor garden reception or to find other wedding service providers, Click here to contact us click here
For assistance in hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines, log on to
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
To buy wine in Manila, Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark or Subic please log on to http://www. ClarkWineCenter.com
To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com
For more information about Clark, Pampanga, Philippines log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com
