Senator Bong Go Claims to be Anti-POGO but he Previously Voted to Support Their Operations in PH

Senator Bong Go has publicly declared his opposition to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), citing concerns about their impact on peace and order. In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on September 9, 2024, he stated, “Even before, I was against POGOs when peace and order is already affected. For the record, I really don’t like POGOs.” His remarks came during a Senate hearing focused on illegal POGO activities.

While Go has recently supported the Marcos administration’s initiative to ban POGOs, his past record shows a more complex relationship with the industry. According to Rappler, Go was one of 17 senators who voted for Republic Act No. 11590 in 2021, which imposed taxes on POGO operations. This law was signed under former President Rodrigo Duterte, during whose administration Go was also linked to alleged POGO funds amid the controversial drug war.

Back then, only Senator Risa Hontiveros and then-senators Frank Drilon and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan opposed the measure.

POGOs, which cater primarily to foreign customers, particularly from China, have drawn criticism due to their association with various criminal activities, including human trafficking and money laundering. Although some argue that POGOs benefit the Philippine economy, concerns over public safety have led to increasing calls for their regulation or outright ban.

In March 2023, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged the government to prohibit POGOs to enhance public safety. By September, a Senate committee formally recommended the expulsion of these operators. Gatchalian and nine other senators signed Committee Report No. 136 which recommended the immediate expulsion of POGOs.

However, Go was notably absent from the list of senators who signed this recommendation.

Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s announcement of a complete POGO ban during his third State of the Nation Address in July, Go released a press statement that expressed his support for the POGO ban. He acknowledged the industry’s economic contributions but emphasized the need to prioritize public safety.

Amid these developments, Go faces scrutiny over allegations of financial ties to POGO operations. During a recent hearing, a police official claimed that Go was involved in distributing cash rewards linked to the drug war, allegedly sourced from POGO profits. Go has vehemently denied these allegations, calling them malicious.

Read related article: Senator Bong Go Implicated in POGO Probe; POGO Money Used to Reward Anti-Drug Units