PAOCC Warns of “POGO Politics” as 2025 Elections Approach

October 8, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has issued a warning regarding what it terms “POGO politics” as the Philippines gears up for the 2025 Midterm Elections. This warning comes amid concerns that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), despite a government-mandated ban on their operations, may still be influencing political candidates and funding their campaigns.

Winston Casio, a spokesperson for PAOCC, expressed concern that certain factions within the POGO industry could be supporting candidates in the upcoming elections. He was quoted as saying in a report published by GMA Network, “Meron pa rin ‘yang POGO politics na ‘yan, kasi yung mga Chinese na nandiyan sa tabi-tabi, mga Chinese criminal syndicates.” (POGO politics is still around, because of the Chinese, the Chinese criminal syndicates). His comments highlight the ongoing issues surrounding the POGO industry and its potential implications for the political landscape.

The Philippine government has been actively working to close down POGO operations due to their association with various illegal activities, including money laundering, human trafficking, and other crimes. However, Dr. Casio noted that some POGOs continue to operate and even hire new employees, indicating a lack of intent to comply with the shutdown orders. During a recent raid on a POGO hub in Pasay City, authorities discovered newly hired staff, raising suspicions about the industry’s ongoing influence.

“Nung na-raid natin ito, mayroon tayong nakuha na mga bagong pasok lang (When we raided, we found fresh hires), so meaning to say, they have no intention of leaving,” he pointed out.

As the Commission on Elections (Comelec) begins accepting certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the midterm elections, the potential connections between POGOs and political candidates are under scrutiny. Among those seeking to file their COC is Alice Guo, the dismissed mayor of Bamban, Tarlac. She has been linked to POGOs and criminal syndicates, making her candidacy a focal point of concern.

Guo’s lawyer announced that she plans to submit her COC this week. While the Comelec will accept her filing, officials noted that she may face disqualification unless she secures a temporary restraining order from the Office of the Ombudsman. This situation underscores the complexities surrounding candidates with potential ties to the POGO industry and organized crime.

Representative Jil Bongalon, who sponsors the Anti-Money Laundering Council’s (AMLC) budget for 2025, has raised alarms regarding Guo’s financial activities. He revealed that she has over P1 billion in assets currently frozen by the Court of Appeals, pending further investigation. This freeze order was issued after the AMLC observed a series of large withdrawals from her bank accounts, suggesting that she may have taken preemptive measures to safeguard her finances.

“Prior to the issuance of the freeze order, nakita ho ng AMLC na malaki yung mga naging (the AMLC saw that there were huge) series of withdrawals doon sa mga bank accounts,” he disclosed.

“Siguro na-anticipate na nga nila. So inunahan na nila (Maybe they anticipated it, so they made preemptive measures) by withdrawing their cash in different banks, plus disposing several properties at a lower price.”

The combination of ongoing POGO operations and the potential involvement of these entities in political campaigns raises significant concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. The PAOCC’s warnings indicate that some candidates might seek financial backing from these operators, potentially leading to conflicts of interest and corruption.