By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Despite its initial resistance, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has no choice but to follow the marching order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to close down all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) that mushroomed during the previous Duterte administration and have been linked to various criminal activities.
Pagcor earlier claimed that the POGO ban would affect some 40,000 workers and would translate to a P40-billion annual revenue loss.
But Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman earlier said POGOs bring in between P40 billion and P50 billion in revenues, which she described as “small.”
“That [amount] can be done through efficiency and our revenue generation,” she said.
The Department of Finance (DOF) also said the Philippines loses over P99 billion annually due to POGO operations.
“Kailangan nang itigil ang panggulo nito sa ating lipunan at paglalapastangan sa ating bansa,” the President stressed in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday (22 July 2024).
“Effective today, all POGOs are banned,” Marcos Jr boomed which was met by thunderous applause from lawmakers and guests who also gave the President several standing ovations.
Marcos Jr. ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) “to wind down and cease the operations of POGOs by the end of the year.”
Pagcor Chairman Alejandro Tengco claimed that some 40,000 Filipino workers will be directly affected by the POGO ban.
“May utos din siya (PBBM) sa [Department of Labor and Employment] at economic managers na masusing pag-aralan kung paano matutulungan ‘yung maapektuhan ng utos na isara ang mga kumpanya ng POGO,” Tengco said in a radio interview.
On Monday (22 July 2024), Marcos Jr. ordered a ban on all POGOs nationwide due to their involvement in criminal activities, saying the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. must “wind down and cease the operation of POGOs by the end of the year.”
(el Amigo/mnm)
