Senate panel subpoenas incorporators of Tarlac-based Pogo firm

MANILA, Philippines — A Senate panel on Tuesday moved that a subpoena be issued to the incorporators of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) Zun Yuan Technology Inc. after they failed to attend the upper chamber’s probe into the controversies hounding the firm.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the chamber’s panel on ways and means, moved for the issuance of a subpoena against the registered incorporators of Zun Yuan.

“Namely the President and Chairman Ms. Jaimielyn Cruz, the director and treasurer of the said company – Mr. Roderick Paul Pujante, and the director corporate secretary Mr. Juan Miguel Alpas,” said Gatchalian.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who presided over the hearing as chair of the Senate panel on women, approved Gatchalian’s motion.

Prior to Gatchalian’s motion, the panel on women’s committee secretary said they failed to deliver an invitation to Cruz, Pujante, and Alpas because the addresses they provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission were all bogus.

READ: Malacañang freezes assets of raided Pogo firm in Tarlac

In April, the Palace directed the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze and preserve the entire compound of Zun Yuan, including its other assets.

The company’s 10-hectare compound was raided on March 13, leading to the rescue of 499 foreign workers. The raid was based on two court-issued search warrants for alleged human trafficking and serious illegal detention of Pogo workers.