Legarda backs Pogo shutdown bid

Senator Loren Legarda speaks with members of the media during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. INQUIRER.net/Ryan Leagogo

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda on Wednesday said she supported a permanent ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in the country.

According to Legarda, she has signed the report of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate ways and means panel, seeking to shut down Pogos.

“[Pogos have] spawned so many criminal syndicates, and this is illegal in China, so why are we hosting an illegal operation?” Legarda said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

She also hoped the report would be elevated to the Senate floor for further deliberation.

Asked whether she was pushing for an immediate ban or a phaseout, Legarda said: “There could be phasing out for the legal, big Pogos if it will impact employment. So the legal ones may be phased out. But of course, for the illegal ones, because they’re illegal, they should stop.”

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said he “firmly and undoubtedly believes that there are things that we are better off without, including Pogos.”

He expressed confidence that once given a chance to read the recommendations, more senators would sign Gatchalian’s report – enough to bring it to the Senate floor.

“I think it’s quite clear among all of us in the Senate, the majority of the members of the Senate are not in the dark insofar as the wicked effects of Pogos are concerned,” Villanueva said in a media interview at the Senate.

Nonetheless, he did acknowledge the senators’ persisting concerns that prevented them from signing the report.

Villanueva said economic liberalization laws could mitigate Pogos’ closure.

The legislator also said he is seeking a transition period for the Pogo shutdown.

“I am open to discussion if they wanted to extend or give more leeway to those who came first and, since time immemorial, have been paying taxes,” he added.

According to Villanueva, the hearings held by the Gatchalian-led panel exposed lapses. In addition, they raised doubts about the capability of the government, police force, and even the state-run gaming regulator to control the Pogo industry.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III also supports the proposed Pogo ban as he argued that the Philippines should not be a playground for criminals.

READ: Pimentel backs Pogo ban: PH should not be criminals’ playground

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he is still reviewing the report recommending a full stop on Pogos.

Last week, Gatchalian presented his report at the Senate plenary following a series of committee hearings unpacking the socio-economic impact of Pogos.

“The Filipino people stand to lose more than they will gain from allowing POGOs to continue operating in the Philippines. In light of this, we recommend the permanent banning of offshore gaming operations in the Philippines,” he said.

READ: ‘Game over’: Gatchalian wants permanent ban on POGOs

KGA/abc