Chinese tycoon’s plea in P50 million bribe case junked

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March 23, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese gambling tycoon Jack Lam’s move to dismiss the charges filed against him for allegedly paying P50 million in bribes to immigration officials has been denied by the Sandiganbayan.

In exchange for the freedom of over 1,300 undocumented Chinese workers at the Fontana Leisure Park and Casino in Clark Field, Pampanga, Lam allegedly gave P50 million to former immigration deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles, through middleman Wenceslao Sombero Jr.

Argosino and Robles had returned at least P30 million to the Department of Justice.

The court had found the three defendants guilty of plunder and graft and sentenced them to up to 50 years in prison.

In its resolution, the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division denied Lam’s motion and refused to lift the hold-departure order issued against him.