Romualdez orders swift Congress action on total POGO ban

By Ferdinand Patinio, Jose Cielito Reganit, Philippine News Agency

POGO BAN. Authorities guard a raided Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) hub in Pasay City on Nov. 6, 2023. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday (July 23, 2024) directed the House leadership to ensure the swift approval of a proposed measure that would give flesh to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to impose a total ban on POGOs in the country. (PNA file photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday directed the House leadership and top Secretariat officials to come up with, and ensure the swift approval of a proposed measure that would give flesh to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to impose a total ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) in the country.

He also gave instructions to continue with ongoing congressional investigation on the operation of criminal syndicates responsible for illegal activities linked to POGO in order to unmask their masterminds.

“Immediately after the SONA of President Marcos Jr., I met with House leaders and top Secretariat officials last night in my office. I asked them to come up with a proposed legislative measure that will put to a halt all POGO operations in the country effective December 2024 as ordered by the President,” Romualdez said in a news release.

“This, however, will not stop ongoing House investigation on the criminal and other illegal activities linked to POGO. Hopefully, the House can learn from the hearings on their modus operandi and the brains behind these activities as part of inputs for the proposed measure that we will be crafting,” he added.

Romualdez was informed by Secretariat officials that there are several House bills and resolutions now pending before the House Committee on Games and Amusement concerning the operations of POGO.

These include House Bill (HB) 5082 filed by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. and HB 10525 filed by Makabayan bloc Reps. France Castro, Arlene Brosas, and Raoul Danniel Manuel.

Also pending at committee level are House Resolution (HR) 503 filed by Rizal Rep. Juan Fidel Nograles, HR 1197 filed by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, HR 1524 also filed by the Makabayan bloc, and the privilege speech of OFW Partylist Rep. Marissa Magsino.

Romualdez said these measures should be harmonized and should result in the filing of a substitute bill, which is acceptable to all stakeholders who participated in the committee hearings.

“I am requesting all the Committee chairs concerned to give this a priority. For the House Committee on Public Order and Security to submit their comprehensive report and recommendations to the Committee on Games and Amusement as soon as possible. And for the House Committee on Games and Amusement to come up with a committee report for immediate plenary deliberation,” he said.

“I want all bases in the total POGO ban covered in the proposed measure. We have to ensure that the POGO operators will not just resort to guerrilla operators or go under cover. The law must be crafted with iron-clad provisions to prevent a resurrection of these criminal and illegal activities,” he added.

The House leader said a law needs to be enacted to ensure that all anti-POGO measures are institutionalized not only during the administration of President Marcos Jr., but also beyond his term.

“Gusto naming maging legacy ito ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. Sisiguruhin natin na hindi na makakakilos ang mga sindikatong kriminal sa pamamagitan ng POGO at mapapanagot natin sa batas ang mga mastermind at lider ng mga sindikatong ito (We want this to be a legacy of President Marcos. We will ensure that criminal syndicates cannot anymore conduct their activities through POGOs, and make their masterminds and leaders answer to the law),” Romualdez said.

DOLE starts profiling

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), meanwhile, said it has started profiling and assessing the skills of Filipino workers who would be affected by the President’s total POGO ban.

“While the initial data available states that the affected workers are estimated at 10,000, the actual number may be higher,” Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said in a statement Tuesday.

Laguesma said they have to get the total number of affected employees as such details will allow them to identify appropriate interventions that can assist affected Filipino workers in transitioning to new work opportunities.

Meanwhile, the DOLE chief said 28 out of 79 internet gaming licensees (IGLs), formerly known as POGOs, identified by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) have already submitted a list of their Filipino workers to the agency’s National Capital Region office.

“Magdaraos din kami ng job fair para sa kanila (We would hold a job fair for them) both for local and overseas employment. ‘Yung mga may kasananyan, marami dyan encoder, baka kailangan dagdagan lang ang kanilang kasanayan para sa mga available na trabaho, pwede naming sila I match, meron din sa administration, finance, HR (human resources), pwede rin mahanapan ng trabaho na match sa kanilang kasanayan (Those who have skills, most of them are encoders, they might just need added skills for available jobs. We can also match them. We have jobs in administration, finance, HR, we can find jobs that would match their skills),” Laguesma said in a radio interview.

He added that those who would want to start a business can also avail of the agency’s training programs.

‘Best decision’

A prelate also applauded the Chief Executive’s move to ban POGOs, calling it his “best decision”.

In a statement, Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos said the President’s move is good for the country in light of the social menace caused by POGOs.

He noted the measure would put an end to abuses and acts of disrespect not only to the country’s laws but to the Filipino people.

“This also shows that our top priority is the welfare and well-being of the citizens of our country rather than money and profit. That we are more concerned about the safety and stability of our country by getting rid of the breeding grounds for drugs, gambling, and prostitution,” he added.

Santos also lauded the political will of the President in banning POGOs.

“We glorify our Almighty God for heeding our prayers and petitions. We are grateful to our president BBM for his political will and sound decision to ban POGO,” he said.

DOJ backs total ban

The Department of Justice (DOJ) also expressed its full support for President Marcos’ total ban on POGOs.

In a statement, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said the Marcos’ order “reflects the current administration’s firm resolve to effectively and fairly administer justice.”

The DOJ, along with other government agencies, has led in the scrutiny of POGO, which has become hotbeds for human smuggling, money laundering, and transnational organized crime.

“Once again, the President’s firm resolve to safeguard the rule of law and protect the most vulnerable members of society is crystal clear with his pronouncements and actions,” Remulla said.

“Let us all work together alongside our President in making the nation progressive more than ever.”

Support for local POGO workers

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian thanked President Marcos for banning POGOs, assuring support for at least 42,000 Filipino workers who will be displaced by the presidential directive.

“I want to assure Filipino workers who will be adversely affected by the ban that I will personally ensure that they receive the appropriate support to tide them over,” he said in a statement.

He said the imposition of the ban is a victory for all peace-loving Filipinos and has put the country in a better position “to achieve stronger, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth moving forward.”

Senator Bong Revilla also lauded President Marcos’ total ban on POGOs in the country.

“You always save the best for last,” Revilla said. “And the grandest of it all, total ban on POGO. The President knows what is best for the Filipino people. He knows how to protect the country. And we applaud him for leading our nation.” (with a report from Benjamin Pulta/Leonel Abasola/PNA)