Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Sunday said he would push for an investigation into casinos allegedly involved in money laundering linked to the so-called “BGC Boys” of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The group, composed of Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara and assistant engineers Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, and Edrick San Diego, reportedly posed as contractors in casinos and lost over ₱950 million, according to Sen. Panfilo Lacson.
Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, accused the casinos of ignoring suspicious activity and failing to comply with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) requirements.
“Akala ko ba mahigpit nilang ipinapatupad yung ‘know your client’ o KYC policy nila?” Tulfo said, questioning why the casinos did not flag the use of fake IDs or report the huge cash transactions.
He argued that the gambling establishments may have chosen silence because of the profits.
“Kung ginawa lang ng mga casino ang responsibilidad nila na tulungan ang AMLC magmatyag, e di nahuli agad itong sila Alcantara, Hernandez, at Mendoza at maaaring natuldukan ang kanilang pagnanakaw sa pera na bayan,” he said.
Tulfo said he will file a resolution to investigate the casinos and ensure other gaming houses are held accountable if they fail to cooperate with regulators in preventing corruption and money laundering by public officials.