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Total POGO ban to have ‘close fight’ in Senate: Pimentel
The lawmaker also called on the Chinese government not to scare their own countrymen of being arrested when they go home after working in a POGO. (File Photo: Aidan Howe/Unsplash)
MANILA – Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said on Thursday a measure proposing to absolutely ban the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) will have divided views among senators.
But, he noted that if the measure is proposing a reform to the current POGO system, it will have overwhelming support from the Senate.
“There is an overwhelming support for a change in the existing policy, and a change in the existing rules and regulations, as well as a change in the existing attitude in law enforcement,” Pimentel said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
He, however, said he wants POGO to be totally banned in the country.
“The problem is in the enforcement of a policy, which is so elaborate, andaming mga (there are so many) conditions or special provisions. May (There are) legal POGOs, may (there are) illegal POGOs. Ang (The) crimes hindi na natin alam kung (we don’t know if it’s) committed ba yan by first, aliens who are here because of legal POGOs or they are here because of illegal POGOs,” Pimentel said.
This is the reason, he said, why law enforcers are struggling to prevent POGO-related crimes.
The lawmaker also called on the Chinese government not to scare their own countrymen of being arrested when they go home after working in a POGO.
This came after other senators were alarmed by the higher number of POGO-related crimes happening in the country.
The Chinese government recently vowed to strengthen its cooperation with the Philippine government in enforcing the law on POGO-related crimes.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said the Chinese government “firmly” opposes gambling and takes tough measures to combat it.
John Christopher Victorio
September 22, 2022 at 11:37 PM
To further eradicate these type of illegal POGO businesses, I definitely agree that POGO (legal and illegal) should be banned here in the Philippines because it evokes smuggling activities and so on.
Veria Balatbat
September 23, 2022 at 12:35 AM
Nothing more, nothing less, they should stop it with the accordance of the law and we’ve seen it and experience it that this POGO is not a good candidate for economic growth as they have negative impacts like smuggled items, illegal activities and a lot more.
Rene Rose Oriol
September 23, 2022 at 1:40 AM
Hati ang desisyon ng mga senator sa usaping ito. May naitulong din kci ang pogo sa ekonomiya ntin. Noong panahon ng pandemic ay dito kumuha ang gobyerno ng pera pantustos sa mga kailangan ng ating bansa. Para po sa akin dapat magkaroon ng mahigpit na pagsusuri sa mga pogo bussiness sa ating bansa dapat suruing mabuti bago bigyan ng lisensya na mag operate sa ating bansa. I banned na ang mga pogo na walang lisensya at gumagawa ng mga bawal na aktibidad gaya ng human trafficking, sex slave at smuggling. Dapat pag aaralan mabuti bago magpasa ng batas hingil sa problemang ito.
Joana Mendoza
September 23, 2022 at 10:10 AM
Aminado akong malaki ang naitutulong ng POGO sa ekonomiya ng bansa.Pero marami din illegal na transaksyon na nagaganap jan na ginagawang window ang Pilipinas sa kanilang mga illegal na gawa.Over all kailangan tuluyan ng IPASARA yan para hindi na dumami pa ang mga alien dito sa Pilipinas.
Abundio Mendoza
September 23, 2022 at 10:21 AM
DAPAT NA NGANG ALISIN ANG POGO NA YAN SA PILIPINAS.MARAMING ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ANG NAGAGANAP JAN NA GINAGAMIT ANG ATING BANSA.MGA LAPASTANGAN NA DAYUHAN.
Justine Mendoza
September 23, 2022 at 10:56 AM
NO TO POGO! Karamihan jan Mga illegal na transaction.Ginagamit Lang Tayo para Sa kanilang personal na interes.