Senators will champion a measure seeking to outlaw Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) across the country Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said.
Senators in the Philippines have expressed unwavering support for a bill that seeks to outlaw all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) across the country, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said
In a statement, Gatchalian shared that all members of the Committee on Ways and Means signed a measure endorsing the approval of Senate Bill 2868, which will permanently ban all POGO operations and repeal Republic Act 11590, the law that legalized the industry in the Philippines.
If passed, the measure would not only end all POGO operations but also dismantle the regulatory framework that supported the industry. Gatchalian expressed optimism about the bill's swift passage, anticipating that it could be enacted before the year ends. This timeline would align with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s earlier call for POGOs to cease operations by year-end due to their association with various crimes.
The proposed measure, which has gained overwhelming backing, was highlighted by Senator Win Gatchalian, the bill’s primary author and Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
“I am delighted to find out that all members of the Committee on Ways and Means signed Committee Report 342, signaling their full endorsement of this crucial measure,” said Gatchalian.
Senators Risa Hontiveros, a staunch POGO critic, alongside JV Ejercito, Mark Villar, Nancy Binay, Pia Cayetano, Ronald Dela Rosa, and several others such as President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Majority Floor Leader Francis Tolentino have also signed the report, which Gatchalian’s office describes as a broad bipartisan consensus on the issue.
Gatchalian expressed confidence that the Senate could ratify the bill within the year, aligning with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for POGOs to cease operations by year-end.
He emphasized that passing the bill would help eliminate the various criminal activities that have been linked to the POGO industry.
The Senate's Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, led by Hontiveros, has been probing various criminal activities linked to the POGO industry such as human trafficking, illegal gambling, and corruption.
The committee's hearings aim to identify those responsible for these illegal operations, provide justice for victims, and ensure that the phaseout of POGOs is effectively implemented.
One of the ongoing investigations involves suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, who has been questioned about her alleged connections to POGOs. The Senate panel also scrutinized her role in the operation of
The raid, which took place in June 2024, uncovered evidence of illegal activities, including the suspected involvement of foreign nationals in criminal operations linked to the POGO hub. These operations allegedly involved human trafficking and the exploitation of workers, many of whom were forced into the gaming industry under distressing conditions. According to Senate findings, Mayor Guo has been implicated in helping facilitate these illegal POGO operations in her jurisdiction. The investigation is also focusing on whether she used her position as mayor to protect POGO activities in exchange for financial or other benefits.
Her refusal to cooperate has further fueled suspicions about her involvement. In previous hearings, lawmakers discussed the need to identify and prosecute those involved in the POGO sector, as the industry is believed to be a significant source of organized crime, money laundering, and illegal immigration.
By banning POGOs, the Senate hopes to eliminate what they describe as an industry plagued by corruption and criminality, which extends far beyond individual operations. This legislative push also reflects the mounting public sentiment against POGOs, as a series of criminal cases involving POGO workers and operators has fueled demands for stricter regulation or outright prohibition. The government and Senate committees are also focusing on supporting the workers displaced by the phase-out, ensuring their rights are protected as they transition out of the POGO sector.
The next steps include the Senate deliberating on the bill's provisions, particularly measures to ensure effective enforcement of the ban. The bill is expected to undergo further discussions before final ratification, though Gatchalian remains confident that it will be approved by year-end.
The investigation's scope extends beyond individual cases to the larger impact of POGOs, which have been linked to various forms of criminal activity in the country.
“Legislating the ban on POGOs would hopefully bring to an end all the various criminalities spawned by the industry,” he said.
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