Vico Sotto gives Pogos, gambling dens a year to pack up and leave Pasig

Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines —  Gambling establishments in Pasig City had been given one year to wind up operations and leave following a local ordinance passed to ban them, said Mayor Vico Sotto on Tuesday.

Sotto posted Ordinance No. 55, series of 2022, which said that operations and applications to operate online gambling had been disallowed in Pasig City. Providing technical support to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) is also banned.

“Existing online gambling establishments in Pasig have [one year] (2023) to wind up operations. New ones, including Pogos, will not be granted permits.” he wrote on Twitter.

Ordinance 55, s-22. Existing online gambling establishments in Pasig have 1 yr (2023) to wind up operations.

New ones, including POGOs, will not be granted permits.

Thank you VM Dodot, author Coun Simon, and majority of councilors for standing firm on your convictions.

While– pic.twitter.com/YEbVhPfUv5

— Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) December 27, 2022

According to the new ordinance, legally established gambling establishments that have approved permits can renew their licenses until December 31, 2023.

Anyone violating the ordinance will be fined P5,000, imprisoned for up to one year, or both.

Sotto also expressed his frustrations whenever there are alleged bribes during the renewal season of these gambling establishments.

“I take it as a personal insult when there are ‘alleged’ offers of bribes every permit renewal season. Kung lehitimo ba’t kailangan ng lagay lagay?” he said.

(I take it as a personal insult when there are “alleged” offers of bribes every permit renewal season. If it is legitimate, why is there grease money?)

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JPV