THE government has blacklisted gaming tycoon Jack Lam for operating illegal gambling operation online in Clark Field, Pampanga, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Friday.
“He is blacklisted, which means he will not be allowed to return to the country,” Aguirre said.
He made the revelation after finding that Lam’s Fontana Casino did not have a permit from the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, contrary to a recent claim by his lawyer Raymond Fortun.
Lam would also be arrested once he returned to the country following an order from President Rodrigo Duterte, Aguirre said.
The Department of Justice earlier issued a lookout bulletin against Lam and ordered his investor’s visa canceled.
Lam flew to Hong Kong on November 29, a few days before President Duterte ordered his arrest for economic sabotage and harboring illegal aliens. Aguirre also said Lam’s camp attempted to bribe Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairwoman Andrea Domingo.
He said he expected criminal charges to be filed against Lam by the Bureau of Immigration or the National Bureau of Investigation soon.
But he said there could still be a way out for Lam and that the blacklist and arrest order against him could be temporary.
He said Lam could still be allowed to return to the country and continue his businesses here as arrangements were now under way.
Aguirre said Lam had sentan emissary who said the Hong Kong-based tycoon would be willing to settle his deficiencies with the government and abide by its laws.
“He is going to pay taxes or liabilities and increase them to 10 percent instead of just one percent. He will also apply for a new license with the Pagcor this time,” Aguirre said.
“If there will be an agreement on the amount to be paid, then he might be allowed to continue his investments here.”
Earlier, Aguirre said Lam’s online casino in Fontana had no permits from any government agency.