Raul Villanueva, Senior Vice President of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation's (PAGCOR) Security and Monitoring Cluster, publicly apologized on Tuesday for his earlier claims that a former PNP Chief allegedly assisted Alice Guo in fleeing the country and was receiving 'payola' from illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in Bamban.
"I don’t want to put malice on our chief PNPs. I’m sorry kung ‘yan ang paka-interpret ng mga chief PNPs natin but I hold them in respect because each of these Chief PNP, they are on legacy in the PNP institution," Villanueva said during the Senate Committee hearing.
Villanueva reiterated during the Senate hearing on September 17 that he regards the information he shared with the committee as a rumor, as it has not been verified.
He further emphasized that PAGCOR is currently focused on assisting law enforcement agencies in pursuing major POGOs in the provinces.
"It’s just unfortunate na hindi pa confirmed itong initial information that’s why, an unconfirmed information is considered not an intelligence data. Not actionable at all. Therefore, it is not yet valid," said Villanueva.
Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa then stated that Villanueva should acknowledge that sensitive information like what he shared with the committee must be taken seriously.
"You should’ve gained a lesson learned from the previous hearing that whenever mayroon tayong information na unvalidated ay dapat hindi natin basta-bastang i-share dito sa public because it will ruin the reputation of other people na pwedeng mag-malign sa information na inilabas mo," dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa then asked if Villanueva's statement could be considered a public apology, to which Villanueva confirmed it was.
“Yes, your honor. To say it very bluntly, in the last session I already qualified it as raw information," Villanueva answered.
"Therefore, it has no bearing at all yet because I don’t have verified confirmation from other sources. That’s why I have to ask a lot of people but I came up with nothing," he added.
Dela Rosa expressed his appreciation for Villanueva's apology, noting that it was a commendable act of a gentleman.
"In behalf of the Council of the Chief PNP, retired Chief PNPs, I would like to thank you for your demeanor. You are a gentleman. Thank you, Gen. Villanueva," dela Rosa said.
