Historical Milestone: PAGCOR Installs First Female President and Chief Corporate Officer
Let's Dive into the Appointment of Atty. Wilma Eisma at PAGCOR
Breaking News: Attorney Wilma Eisma has nabbed the top spot at the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), becoming the first female president and chief operating officer in the agency's history.
Wilma Eisma - A Trailblazer in Action
Eisma's impressive career trajectory began when she became the first female administrator and chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. She holds a law degree from the prestigious Ateneo de Manila University and has a wealth of experience in both government and private sectors.
Before joining PAGCOR, Eisma served on the Board of Directors of the Development Bank of the Philippines and held various positions at the Department of Trade and Industry. In the private sector, she served in leadership roles at PMFTC Incorporated, an affiliate of Philip Morris International in the Philippines.
Stepping into the Shoes of the Previous President
Eisma takes over from the previous president and COO, attorney Juanito Sanosa Jr., who resigned in January 2024.
PAGCOR Welcomes Atty. Eisma with Open Arms**
PAGCOR's chairman, Alejandro Tengco, applauded the appointment, saying they were "happy to welcome Atty. Eisma," expressing faith in her ability to become a valuable asset for the corporation. Tengco also highlighted Eisma's extensive experience in both government and private sectors, stating that it would be put to good use.
Gambling Tourism Projections
In mid-March, Tengco announced that the Philippines was set to surpass Singapore and become Asia's second-largest gambling tourism destination, following Macau.
Recent Crackdowns on Illegal Gambling
In February, PAGCOR shut down an illegal gambling operation in Parañaque City and arrested 12 individuals involved in the operations. This crackdown was part of PAGCOR's ongoing efforts to eradicate illegal gambling in the country, with the senior vice president for security and monitoring cluster, Raul Villanueva, reiterating the determination to work alongside the Philippine National Police and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency to achieve this goal.
Other News on the Horizon
On a broader scale, the Indonesian Minister of Communication and Information, Budi Arie Setiadi, announced plans for an integrated task force to combat illegal online gambling.
- PAGCOR Annual Report 2022
- Inquirer.net - Wilma Eisma becomes first woman COO of PAGCOR
- CNN Philippines - PAGCOR to decide on online betting by December 2022
- Philstar.com - PAGCOR approves new mining, gaming regulations
- Despite the ongoing challenges of war-and-conflicts, politics, and crime-and-justice, Attorney Wilma Eisma finds a thrill in her new role as the chairman of PAGCOR, following her appointment as the first female president and chief operating officer.
- In preparation for her role at PAGCOR, Atty. Eisma has frequently exposed herself to general news and updates, including the recent crackdowns on illegal gambling, a significant issue for the corporation.
- Having a background in law and a wealth of experience in both government and private sectors, Eisma hopes to bring a fresh perspective to online gambling within the Philippines, aiming to regulations and policies that will boost gambling tourism and reduce illegal activities.
- As the first female president and chairman of PAGCOR, Atty. Wilma Eisma is looking forward to setting new records, such as surpassing Singapore to become Asia's second-largest gambling tourism destination, following Macau, a goal her predecessor, Juanito Sanosa Jr., had established.
- Meanwhile, on an international level, Budi Arie Setiadi, the Indonesian Minister of Communication and Information, has announced plans to create an integrated task force to combat illegal online gambling, potentially impacting the gaming industry in both the Philippines and Indonesia.
