PSC may get P700M monthly from PAGCOR

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) Chairman Alejandro Tengco said the agency’s monthly remittances to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) could reach P700 million as it complies with a Supreme Court ruling restoring the commission’s five percent share of PAGCOR’s gross income.

The ruling stemmed from a mandamus petition filed in 2016 by former congressman and professional basketball coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao seeking the proper release of funds due to the PSC.

Guiao challenged an executive order issued by former President Fidel V. Ramos that reduced PAGCOR’s remittances to the PSC from five percent to 2.17 percent beginning in 1993.

In 2025, the Supreme Court ruled in Guiao’s favor, restoring the five percent allocation and ordering PAGCOR to settle an estimated P37 billion in arrears.

Tengco said the Supreme Court gave PAGCOR 10 years to settle the obligation.

He said PAGCOR has been coordinating with the PSC as its regular remittances under the restored five percent share have already approached P300 million a month in 2026.

“On our end, it is a huge burden because nowhere did PAGCOR project through the years that we will have to pay. But we respect the decision of the Supreme Court. It may not be during my time, but we have to abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court,” Tengco said.

Once payments for the arrears are factored in, Tengco said PAGCOR’s monthly remittances to the PSC could reach as much as P700 million.

PAGCOR generated P106.03 billion in income in 2025 and contributed P66.95 billion to nation-building programs.

From January to June 2026, the agency generated P43.43 billion in income and contributed P30.16 billion to nation-building.

Tengco clarified, however, that PAGCOR has yet to begin paying the P37-billion obligation.

House Committee on Appropriations chairperson Mikaela Suansing said lawmakers would take the expected collections into account when deliberating the PSC’s proposed 2027 budget.