NORTHMAN Gaming Corporation (NGC) is preparing to file administrative and criminal charges against Tagum City officials following the confiscation of 68 Small Town Lottery (STL) booths allegedly without due process, its legal counsel said last Friday, January 10.
Lawyer Cristian Villanueva, NGC’s legal counsel, said the booths were seized despite being located on private properties with lease agreements.
He added that the company operates as an authorized lotto agent of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and has around 400 STL booths in the city.
The confiscation was reportedly carried out under the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Hapsay Dalan road-clearing initiative.
However, NGC claimed in a statement that the operation unfairly targeted their booths while other unauthorized gambling structures and other establishments near their STL booths were left untouched.
“NGC is crying foul over the road-clearing operations targeting only their authorized STL booths, which are situated on private properties. Meanwhile, illegal gambling booths remain unconfiscated,” the statement read.
Villanueva alleged that the personnel involved in the confiscation did not wear proper identification and failed to issue any written notice or documentation prior to the seizure.
The company said the confiscation displaced 68 tellers, whom they continue to support through financial assistance.
“Kawawa ang mga tellers but we’re continually paying them,” said Villanueva.
The company’s legal team is expected to file an injunction, as well as administrative and criminal cases, against city officials within the week.
Gold Star Daily sought the city government's response regarding the booth confiscation incident by reaching out to City Administrator Ed de Guzman.
When asked for a statement, de Guzman advised contacting Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy directly but declined to provide the mayor’s contact information.
The paper searched for the mayor’s office phone number online, but upon calling, an automated response indicated that the number was incorrect.
