Metro Manila, Philippines – “It’s not over yet.”
Despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s ban on all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros said nothing can stop the legislative inquiry into their supposed illegal operations.
The Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, chaired by Hontiveros, will resume its probe on the issue on Monday, July 29.
“Kahit inanunsyo na ang pag-ban ng POGO, oversight function ng Senado ang matiyak na ang phaseout ay tunay na maipapatupad, na ang mga sangkot sa krimen ay matukoy, ang mga victim-survivors ay mabigyan ng hustisya, at na ang mga manggagawa ay mabigyan ng just transition,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
[Translation: Even though the ban on POGO has been announced, it is the Senate’s oversight function to ensure that the phaseout is genuinely implemented, that those involved in crimes are identified, that victim-survivors receive justice, and that workers are provided with a just transition.]
“We also need to ensure our regulatory failures are addressed. Maraming institusyon ng gubyerno ang mukhang na-korap ng mga POGO at kailangan tugunan ito ng mga polisiyang maaaring isulong namin sa Senado,” Hontiveros added.
[Translate: We also need to ensure our regulatory failures are addressed. Many government institutions appear to have been corrupted by POGOs, and this needs to be addressed through policies that we might advocate for in the Senate.]
Marathon hearings have revealed the alleged involvement of government officials, including suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, in illegal POGOs. The Senate has issued a warrant for Guo’s arrest after she refused to comply with the chamber’s subpoena, claiming she has experienced stress and trauma from attending past hearings.
“Hindi lang naman si Mayor Guo ang iniimbestigahan dito, kundi ang buong industriya ng POGO na nagdala ng samu’t saring krimen sa bansa,” Hontiveros said.
[Translation: It’s not just Mayor Guo who is being investigated here, but the entire POGO industry that has brought various crimes to the country.]
Marcos’ third State of the Nation Address was widely applauded after he announced a ban and gradual phaseout of POGOs by the end of the year.
