Senate panel urges criminal charges against officials linked to POGOs, while Senator Villanueva reiterates his call for a total POGO ban, citing economic losses and corruption.
The Senate Committee on Women has called for the filing of criminal charges against key individuals linked to illicit activities involving Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). Among those named are Tony Yang, Sual Mayor Lisandro Calugay, and several public officials accused of protecting dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, chair of the committee, revealed these findings during a plenary session on Tuesday, as she presented Committee Report No. 514, which outlined “deceptive strategies” for POGOs to establish themselves in the Philippines.
Hontiveros, in her speech, outlined the following recommendations:
Criminal Prosecution of Public Officials – Authorities should pursue cases under Republic Act No. 3019 and other relevant laws against government officials implicated in illegal POGO activities and in shielding Alice Guo. This includes Sual Mayor Lisandro Calugay and members of his staff.
Legal Action Against Tony Yang – Investigators should file criminal cases against Tony Yang for acquiring and using a fraudulent Filipino identity. Additionally, preliminary intelligence should be deepened into the activities of Michael Yang, Tony Yang, and Hongjiang Yang, especially concerning their potential involvement with a foreign state's intelligence operations.
Economic Sabotage Charges – Those apprehended in Pogo-related raids post-July 2024, or following the enactment of Republic Act No. 12010, should face charges under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act.
International Cooperation – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) should continue diplomatic efforts with Thai authorities to investigate She Zhijiang and uncover any links between Guo Hua Ping and espionage or foreign interference.
Clarification of Executive Order No. 74 – The Executive Branch should clarify provisions of the order, particularly the section excluding online games of chance conducted in licensed casinos, integrated resorts, and Pagcor-operated establishments.
Immigration Reforms – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) must report to the Senate on reforms implemented to prevent similar escapes like that of Guo Hua Ping. The report should also address the alleged involvement of BI personnel in trafficking Pogo workers into the country and smuggling Filipinos abroad for fraudulent employment.
Visa Issuance Overhaul – Authorities should streamline the visa application process and establish a centralized database akin to the United States Department of Homeland Security. This system would consolidate all visa-related information, enabling authorities to assess an individual’s travel history and security risks comprehensively.
Total POGO Ban – The Senate should urgently pass legislation that completely prohibits offshore gaming operations and all associated service providers. The proposed law should include severe penalties for public officials found aiding and abetting POGO activities. As it stands, the bill on POGOs has been approved on its second reading in the lower chamber.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his July state address declared a ban on POGOs, formalizing it through an executive order (EO) in November. While Senators have welcomed the decision, they argued that this wasn’t enough, calling to address the ambiguities by the EO. Generally, an EO can be easily rescinded by any sitting president, whereas a law passed by Congress and the Senate requires hearings and a vote, making it more difficult to overturn.
According to the 1987 Philippine Constitution: “All courts existing at the time of the ratification of this Constitution shall continue to exercise their jurisdiction, until otherwise provided by law. The provisions of the existing Rules of Court, judiciary acts, and procedural laws not inconsistent with this Constitution shall remain operative unless amended or repealed by the Supreme Court or the Congress.”
Villanueva Calls for Permanent POGO Ban
Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva reiterated his call for a total ban on POGOs, citing their severe economic and social costs. He highlighted that according to the Department of Finance (DOF), the net loss from their continued operations amounts to P99.52 billion annually.
Speaking at a Senate session on Tuesday, Villanueva voiced his support for holding individuals like Guo Hua Ping accountable and fully eliminating POGO operations. He has been advocating for this ban since 2016 when his office exposed corruption within the Bureau of Immigration (BI), leading to the arrest of BI Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles for accepting bribes to release detained Chinese nationals.
Villanueva commended the committee’s efforts but urged additional measures to strengthen regulations and prevent future abuses. He emphasized that POGOs have corrupted institutions and caused more harm than good, arguing that their perceived economic benefits do not outweigh their negative impact on society.
Read related article: ‘Underground POGOs Threat To Anti-Money Laundering Efforts’
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