BAGUIO CITY — Voting 11-4, the Supreme Court upheld the right of three barangays in Baguio City — Trancoville, Military Cut-Off, and Outlook Drive — to conduct bingo games as fundraising projects without requiring permits from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) or any government agency.

It affirmed that barangays have local autonomy under the Constitution, allowing them to organize lawful activities that benefit their communities.

The high bench emphasized that Republic Act 9487 (Pagcor’s Charter) explicitly excludes games managed by local government units from Pagcor’s regulatory authority.

Because of the ruling, it strengthens local governance, affirming that LGUs can independently pursue fundraising initiatives without undue interference.