Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 17) — The top official of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) said Monday that the agency spent over ₱3 million not just for the new logo itself, as the winning project bidder also had other deliverables.
“I don’t think the critics or the masses were aware. Hindi lamang ₱3 million yung logo lang. There are so many other deliverables na ipagkakaloob ng designer tulad po ng mga manual,” Pagcor chairman Alejandro Tengco told members of media during a chance interview on Monday.
[Translation: The ₱3 million did not only cover the logo. There were so many other deliverables that the designer would need to provide, such as manuals.]
Despite criticisms, Tengco maintained that the new logo would be used in Pagcor’s properties across the Philippines.
“Gagamitin po iyan sa mga stationaries. Gagamitin iyan sa mga envelopes. So mali yung pagiisip na ‘yung ₱3 million ay para sa logo lang,” he added.
[Translation: We’re going to use it for our stationaries, envelopes. So it’s wrong to think that the ₱3 million was only for the logo.]
Pagcor unveiled its new logo during the agency’s 40th anniversary celebration on July 11.
The logo, which resembles a flame with shades of blue and red, “symbolizes the flame that ignites change and drives progress,” Tengco earlier said.
A House resolution was filed last week seeking an investigation into the gaming regulator’s new logo after it drew public backlash.
READ: Makabayan seeks probe on ₱3-M Pagcor logo; gaming body refutes plagiarism allegations
Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez also expressed his desire to launch a probe into the questionable logo.
“We should look into the issues of cost and copying. More importantly, on the need or lack of it of a new logo,” Rodriguez said.
“I would like to know the rationale behind the unnecessary change and the expenditure of ₱3 million in taxpayer’s money,” he added.
The lawmaker also urged Pagcor to drop the new logo, and instead intensify its fight against illegal gaming activities.
