Philippine Senator Faces Inquiry Regarding Potential Family Links to China and Gaming Venture
The gaming industry in the Philippines has been hit with numerous controversies, the main culprit being Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). At the forefront of the campaign to eliminate these operators and possibly all online gaming is Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. Now, Gatchalian himself is facing a controversy as questions swirl about his family's involvement in a project related to China.
Gatchalian's family is the owner of Waterfront Manila Premier Development Inc (MWPDI), responsible for a massive reclamation project in Manila Bay. The PHP34.3-billion (US$611 million) complex will eventually house a casino, a business district, and other amenities across its 318-hectare (785-acre) property.
However, a Chinese company involved in the development of the reclaimed land, China Communications Construction Co (CCCC), has raised eyebrows. The firm is on a United States government blacklist, which has prompted the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines to raise concerns.
Gatchalian told PhilStar that the project belongs to his father and that it has secured all required permits. He insists he doesn't interfere with the family business. Still, the U.S. Embassy is adamant, stating China's involvement in the militarization of the South China Sea, along with possible fraudulent business practices.
Even though Gatchalian is also advocating to dismantle the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., he is unperturbed by the Embassy's complaint. He trusts that CCCC has all the necessary documentation, as confirmed by the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).
MWPDI already encountered problems once. In 2020, a court nullified its contract with the Manila government, arguing that the proper bidding protocols were not followed. Luckily, the decision was overturned on appeal.
The question remains as to why MWPDI would align themselves with CCCC given the ongoing tensions between the two countries. The territory dispute between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea persists. China claims almost the entire sea, including military ships and fishing boats, putting them at odds with international treaties on territorial and water boundaries.
Notably, just recently, China is accused of assaulting Philippine vessels as they transported supplies to the Ayungin Shoal in the Spratly Islands chain. The Philippine military troops stationed there are considered illegal by China, along with the supply vessels for allegedly entering Chinese waters unlawfully. It's another contentious encounter in this prolonged disagreement.
To summarize, Gatchalian, previously an opponent of online gaming, finds himself embroiled in a controversy concerning his family's involvement in a project with ties to China. Despite a blacklisted Chinese company's participation and concerns from the U.S. Embassy, the project owner and regulatory authority believe they're following proper legal processes. And while Gatchalian is supportive of shutting down the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., his family's controversies don't affect his conviction. However, the persisting dispute between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea adds intrigue to MWPDI's selection of CCCC as a partner in their project.
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Source: www.casino.org
