TOTAL BAN NG POGO SA PILIPINAS, IMINUNGKAHI SA KAMARA

Iminungkahi ni Surigao del Norte Second District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers ang total ban o tuluyang pagbawal ng Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators o POGO dito sa ating bansa.

Sa ginanap na press conference sa Quezon City, sinabi ng mambabatas mula sa Surigao City na ito ay sa kadahilanang k𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘄𝗮'𝘁-𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗴 mga na 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗮 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘀𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗸𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘆𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗴 mga POGO sa Pilipinas.

Idinagdag pa ng solin na dapat umanong i-𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗹𝘂𝘆𝗮𝗻 nan𝗴 𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗯𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗴 mga 𝗣𝗢𝗚𝗢, 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗼 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹.

Binigyang diin ni Barbers na masyado nang humaba ang listahan ng mga kasong kinasasangkutan ng POGO, kabilang na rito ang talamak at lantarang bentahan ng illegal na droga na pawang mga Chinese nationals ang involved o nasa likod nito. 

Dahil dito, iginigiit ni Barbers na napapanahon para tuldukan ang pamamayagpag ng operasyon ng POGO sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatupad ng gobyerno ng total ban, illegal man o lisensiyado ang operasyon nito. 

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A LAWMAKER SEEKS INQUIRY TO UNMUSK POGO PROTECTORS AND LOBBYISTS

Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez today urged the House of Representatives to inquire into the alleged lobbying and protection for illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) by former and current government officials.

Rep Rodriguez called on the House Committee on Games and Amusements and the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability to conduct a joint inquiry on this matter.

He was reacting to the revelation of Pagcor chairman and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco that a former Cabinet member had lobbied for the grant of franchises to illegal POGOs the authorities have recently raided in Bamban, Tarlac and in Porac, Pampanga. 

However, Hairman Tengco said the he said he is ready to reveal the roles of other controversial individuals behind these criminal Pogo enterprises,” Tengco said.

He also referred to the role of “former officials and conduits” in granting licenses to POGO applicants with “doubtful backgrounds.”

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Rodriguez said his proposed House inquiry would provide Tengco the “proper forum” to make his revelations and support them with evidence.

“It is not enough that Pagcor officials name names. They should provide proof leading to criminal prosecution,” he said.

He said if the alleged protectors and lobbyists include national and local politicians, they should be named as well.

He added that Pagcor officials should also tell Congress and the public if they had given in to the lobbying made by the so-far unnamed past and current government officials.

“If they caved in to pressure, they are equally guilty and accountable,” he stressed.

The Mindanao lawmaker reiterated his proposal for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and/or Pagcor to now ban offshore gaming operations in the country.

“The government does not need this form of gambling as a revenue source. They breed criminal activities like human trafficking, kidnapping, protection, and extortion. The social cost outweighs the financial benefit,” he said. 

Last May, House committee games and amusement chaired by Cavite Rep. Antonio Ferrer endorsed Rodriguez’s resolution and a bill authored by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, of which Rodriguez is a co-author, both of which seek to ban POGOs.