An anti-graft and corruption watchdog group has lodged a plunder case against former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chairman and chief executive officer Cristino Naguiat in connection with the anomalous P3.21 billion (US$ 66.68 million) lease of the former Army Navy Club.

Charged before the Philippines’ Department of Justice for violation of Section 3 (e) of the Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft law, were Naguiat, former PAGCOR board of director Jose Tanjuatco; PAGCOR directors Enriguito Nuguid and Eugene Manalastas; Atty. Jorge Sarmiento; PAGCOR’s Bids and Awards Committee members Milagros Pauline Visque; Ramon Jones; Romeo Cruz, Jr.; Annalyn Zogimann; Atty. Kathleen Delantar; and Manuel Sy.

The heart of the case lodged by the Officers of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) was the anomalous lease contract bidding of the iconic Army Navy Club complex in Manila to Vanderwood Management Corp.

It would be recalled that PAGCOR awarded Vanderwood Management Corp. with a 15-year contract for the lease of casino space behind the Army Navy Club after a long and tedious 14-month bidding process.