MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino said on Friday he will task the Executive Secretary to head a committee that will ask Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chair Bong Naguiat to explain his involvement in allegations of bribery against gaming businessman Kazuo Okada, including accepting free accommodations from the Japanese businessman.

There will be a formal process where he will be asked to explain. First hanapin muna natin ‘yung specific accusations then we will task him to explain himself with regards to the specific accusations, then the committee will determine whether or not there is an issue or no issue,” Aquino told reporters after turning over housing units to AFP and PNP personnel in Trece Martires, Cavite. 
 
“Everybody who has been proven to have done something that they shouldn’t have or neglected to do what they should has been meted appropriate sanctions,” he added.
 
Aquino assured Naguiat that he will be given a “fair hearing” and that he will be accorded the presumption of innocence just as the same presumption, he said, is being given to Chief Justice Renato Corona.
 
“The least that Chairman Naguiat should be able to expect is that he gets a fair hearing. Let’s have the allegations, let him answer it, then we will weigh the allegations versus his defense of his actions or lack of action. There is presumption, under our laws—it applies to Chief Justice Corona—there is presumption of innocence until proven guilty. In this particular instance, I think we should afford him also the benefit of hearing him out before we make any judgments,” Aquino said.
 
Aquino said the specific allegations would first have to be identified and let Naguiat address these.
 
“Maganda siguro makita ‘yung specific allegation. Problema, there is very massive money involved by two major players in the gaming industry who have suddenly fallen out with each other… Siguro tingin nila sa atin kung bigla na lang may sasabihin sila e hindi natin siguro sila mabalikan kung mali ang sinasabi nila,” he said.
 
He lamented that reports did not highlight the fact a luxury bag was returned by Naguiat.
 
“In the report, sinabi na may binigay na bag tapos nilagyan ng footnote na fineprint na parang napakaliit na print na hindi tinanggap or isinoli ang bag. Iha-highlight n’yo yung ibinigay at ‘yung sa explanation n’ya, di naman ibinigay talaga sa kanila. Parang ‘pag dating dun sa kwarto meron nang ganung bag pero isinoli nila kaagad. Hindi na binanggit ‘yung isinoli. So may malice naman yatang involved,” he said. 

Malacañang has drawn flak for quickly defending Naguiat, who was accused of accepting bribes from Okada.

Economist Winnie Monsod and House deputy minority leader Mitos Magsaysay believe that President Aquino should have first ordered an investigation into the matter before defending Naguiat.

Naguiat is said to be a former classmate and close friend of Aquino.