Marcos: EO banning Pogos already sufficient

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dismissed the supposed loopholes in the executive order he recently signed that bans the Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in the country, ensuring that they all cease operations by Dec. 31, 2024.

“It’s the nature of the operation we are banning, it’s not because it is under Pagcor or not,” Marcos said on the sidelines of Seatrade Cruise Asia 2024 on Monday evening.

Last November 8, Malacañang officially released an EO on the immediate ban on all Pogo or Internet Gaming Licensees and offshore gaming operations in the country.

READ: Risa warns of loopholes in Pogo shutdown order

However, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, in a statement last Saturday, said that the Executive Order No. 74 contained loopholes that may allow their continued operation inside casinos and freeports.

She said the order did not explicitly declare that the ban on Pogos covered all establishments that were not under the supervision of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

Marcos assured that the EO is already sufficient and there is no need to issue another one.