MANILA (UPDATE) - The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Wednesday announced it will stop accepting applications for medical financial assistance due a recent fraud attempt.

"The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) wishes to inform the public that it is temporarily halting the acceptance of applications for medical financial assistance," it said in a statement.

PAGCOR said authorities have arrested a couple who attempted to defraud the agency by submitting fake documents for fictitious medical cases.

The suspects were arrested by the Manila Police District in an entrapment operation and are currently facing charges for falsification of public documents.

"Pending the results of an on-going investigation to the case, the state-run gaming firm freezes its accommodation of requests for medical aid," PAGCOR added.

PAGCOR said it was meticulously evaluating documents submitted for financial assistance to deter anyone planning to do the same.

Meanwhile, Senator Lito Lapid expressed hope PAGCOR would continue extending assistance to those in need.

“Sana ay hindi ihinto ng PAGCOR ang pagbibigay ng tulong medikal sa mga mamamayan nating mahihirap. Alam nating maraming natutulungan ang PAGCOR sa programa nilang ito," he told reporters.