LTO Chief Virginia “Virgie” Torres Viral Video|Caught Playing in a Casino
LTO Chief Virginia “Virgie” Torres Viral Video|Caught Playing in a Casino
What happened to the Memorandum Circular No. 8, s. 2001 which bans government personnel from the casinos? We ask this question because a video depicting the LTO Chief playing inside a casino has gone viral on social networking sites.
LTO Chief Virginia “Virgie” Torres was allegedly caught on cam while playing a slot machine inside a casino. DH.com bloggers are yet to confirm if the person shown in the video is indeed the LTO Chief. But just in case that the LTO official becomes guilty of the said claim then what will happen next?
DiversityHuman.com is not trying to amplify this issue. We are simply educating our readers. Now, to those who are not familiar with Memorandum Circular No. 8, s. 2001, you may read the following excerpt. Take note, it's just a memo and it does not include the details of the sanctions if someone is caught.
Memorandum Circular No. 8, s. 2001
Published: August 28, 2001. Latest update: July 31, 2012.
MALACAÑANG
MANILA
MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 8
ENJOINING GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL AND ALL CONCERNED FROM ENTERING OR PLAYING IN CASINOS
...the following persons are not allowed to stay and/or play at the gambling casinos:
a) Government officials connected directly with the operation of the government or any of its agencies, save personnel employed by the casinos who may be allowed to stay in the premises;
b) Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including the Army, Navy, and Air Force; and
IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, it is hereby reiterated that all government personnel concerned are prohibited from entering, staying and/or playing at gambling casinos. Accordingly, it is hereby directed:
All heads of departments, bureaus and offices, government-owned or controlled corporations and local governments, including the PNP and AFP, to remind officials and employees under them regarding this prohibition and to impose the appropriate sanctions and penalties in case of violation thereof; and..
It is very clear that any government employee like the LTO Chief, Virginia “Virgie” Torres, is NOT allowed to enter, stay, and play at the gambling casinos. An article of PDI news also mentioned the same sentiment.
For the meantime, we will wait until the authorities fully make a confirmation if the person seen in the video is really the LTO Chief. And for sure all of you wants to view the said viral video. So here's the youtube video with a caption "LTO Chief CASINO QUEEN".
UPDATE: In a report of ABS-CBN news, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Virginia Torres has admitted going to a casino. Torres said she played with the slot machine after having dinner with a friend.
"Yes, I remember having dinner with a friend in a hotel. While waiting for the bill to be settled, I saw the slot machine on the lower floor and out of curiosity, I sat in front of one machine and marveled at the lights and read the instructions. I immediately left when the bill was paid. This happened way back," Virgie said.
Earlier, we mentioned about the details of the sanction/s which is/are not included in the memo. According to the Civil Service Commission, Torres could be suspended for up to 6 months if she is found violating government regulations against going to a casino.