The Ombudsman suspended Porac Mayor, Vice Mayor, and 8 councilors over alleged negligence in POGO operations, amid growing concerns about POGO-linked crimes.
The Office of the Ombudsman has taken action against the local government of Porac town in Pampanga, suspending Porac Mayor Jaime Capil, Vice Mayor Francis Laurence Tamayo, and eight councilors for their alleged negligence concerning the operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). This move underscores the ongoing investigations into POGO-related crimes that have been a growing concern in the region.
The suspension order, signed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires, also includes Emerald Vital, the licensing assistant and acting officer-in-charge of the Business and Licensing Office. The implicated officials will face a six-month suspension without pay, starting immediately. The Ombudsman’s decision aims to hold local leaders accountable for their inaction and failure to regulate POGO operations adequately.
According to the Ombudsman’s announcement, which was reported by GMA Network, the order is enforceable without delay. It emphasizes that any motions, appeals, or petitions filed by the suspended officials will not halt the implementation of this suspension unless otherwise directed by the Ombudsman or a competent court.
The backdrop to this suspension involves ongoing scrutiny over the proliferation of crimes linked to POGO operations in Porac and neighboring Bamban, Tarlac. Reports of illegal activities and regulatory non-compliance have raised alarm among local residents and law enforcement agencies alike. GMA News Online attempted to reach Mayor Capil for comments, but as of now, there has been no response from his office.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has been particularly vocal about the alleged failures of the Porac local officials. They claim that the mayor and the council members demonstrated gross neglect of duty. Key issues cited include the issuance of business permits to Lucky South 99, a POGO firm, despite the company’s failure to meet essential regulatory requirements.
Specifically, the DILG pointed out several critical oversights:
1. The issuance of Mayor’s Business Permits for Lucky South 99 for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023 occurred without the required prior approvals.
2. The company’s license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) had expired.
3. The Porac Business Permit and Licensing Office issued a certification stating that Lucky South 99 lacked a business permit for 2024.
4. There was no Letter of No Objection (LONO) for the continued operation of Lucky South 99 as a POGO.
5. Reports from the Philippine National Police documented suspected criminal activities occurring on the premises of Lucky South 99.
The DILG emphasized the responsibility of local officials to safeguard the welfare of the community. They criticized the council for failing to enact necessary ordinances or resolutions aimed at preventing criminal activities linked to the POGO operations. The DILG noted that aside from a LONO resolution from November 2019, there had been little oversight or monitoring of Lucky South 99’s activities.
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