Pagcor has named lawyer Wilma Eima its new President and Chief Operating Officer.
Eisma replaces Juanito Sánsosa, Jr. who quit as President and Chief Operating Officer in January.
Yesterday (18 April), the Philippine regulator confirmed that Eisma took her oath before Lucas Bersamin (Pagcor’s Executive Secretary). Pagcor chairman Alejandro Tengco was present.
Eisma received her law degree at Atena de Manula University. She was previously a director at the Development Bank of the Philippines before joining Pagcor.
Eisma had previously been the first woman administrator of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and its chair. Eisma also served in leadership positions at PMFTC, the Philippine affiliate Philip Morris International and the Department of Trade and Industry.
Tengco said, “We’re pleased to welcome Wilma Eisma Pagcor as its new President and COO.”
We know that she is a valuable asset, and we are confident her experience gained in the public and private sector will prove to be very useful.
Pagcor Privatisation Move
Pagcor is preparing to privatise their casinos in 2025. Pagcor can focus its efforts on those who will be affected by this process.
Pagcor will spin off its casino operations to private investors, giving it more money to spend on expansion and upgrade.
Pagcor made an announcement in September of last year that they would become a “pure regulatory” organization. The privatisation of Pagcor, which it had “seriously considered” in March 20,23 was triggered by this announcement.
Tengco issued a press release in February criticizing “disinformation”, which was being disseminated about privatisation. It was a reference to an online post. This post stated that Pagcor was going to spend P500m (7.7m PS/EUR8.3m), on the repair of its Casino Filipino branch at Angeles City, before privatisation.
Tengco has denied this rumour, and Pagcor will not be spending money to renovate the building.
Tengco said at that time, “There’s no truth to Mr Samson’s claims because said renovation will be paid by the lessee.” Pagcor won’t spend one cent for the renovation.
Pagcor had announced last month that they would be lowering rates to operators as of 1 April. Rates were reduced by 5 percent on average. Pagcor took this step to encourage more operators who are illegal to obtain licences.
