Gatchalian: PH has become money laundering haven due to Pogos

FILE PHOTO: Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian Photo from the Senate Social Media Unit

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the Philippines has become a haven for money laundering because of illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).

Speaking to reporters during an online press conference on Friday, Gatchalian cited the billions worth of funds allegedly used for Pogos in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga.

“In fact, ako kampante akong sabihin ito na ang Pilipinas ay naging money laundering haven na rin ng buong mundo dahil ang laki ng perang pumapasok eh. Billions ang pumapasok sa ating bansa. In the case of Bamban and Porac nakita natin ‘yung construction nila pumasok dito billions of pesos, pero hindi makita [kung] saan nanggaling o sino ang binayaran,” said Gatchalian.

(In fact, I am confident to say that the Philippines has become a money laundering haven for the whole world because of the amount of money coming in. Billions are entering our country. In the case of Bamban and Porac, we saw billions of pesos go into their construction, but we didn’t see where it came from or who was paid.)

The senator made the remark after he was questioned whether or not the publication of suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo’s details – including her 36 bank accounts and other assets – would discourage potential investors to the Philippines.

READ: Gatchalian: No law violated in releasing Alice Guo’s information

For Gatchalian, the Philippines is still in the “gray list” because of money laundering and Pogos.

“Kaya hindi tayo maalis-alis sa gray list because of money laundering and Pogo. Kung matatandaan mo, parati tayong nasa gray list. Hindi tayo maalis alis dyan eh. If you read the gray list report, which binasa namin – isa dyan sa pinakamalaking black eye sa atin ay ‘yung Pogo,” he stressed.

(That’s why we can’t be removed from the gray list because of money laundering and Pogo. If you remember, we are always on the gray list. We can’t get out of there. If you read the gray list report which we read – one of the biggest black eyes among us is Pogo.)

READ: Philippines still on global money laundering ‘gray list’

He, however, noted that the Anti-Money Laundering Council’s filing of a case against Guo proves that the Philippine government is responsive to such cases.

“Para sa akin malaking sensyales ‘yan na sineseryoso natin ang money laundering dito sa ating bansa. At ikukulong natin at [huhulihin] natin ‘yung mga kriminal na involved dito sa money laundering. So para sa akin mas tataas ang investors’ confidence dahil ‘yung mga kriminal na dito ginagawa ‘yung money laundering nila ay nahuhuli,” he emphasized.

(For me, that is a big signal that we take money laundering seriously in our country. And we will jail and [arrest] the criminals involved in money laundering. So for me, investors’ confidence will increase because the criminals who do their money laundering here are caught.)