Gov’t officials allegedly guiding POGOs to evade ban – Hontiveros

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Thursday exposed the alleged involvement of some government officials in aiding offshore gaming operations to use legal fronts and circumvent the government ban.

“Yung mga sumbong sa amin ay may mga government officials pa na nagpapayo sa kanila ng mga ganon na, ‘Ah, magbago na lang kayo ng porma,’ at least legally bilang mga simpleng BPOs lamang – pero nakatago sa loob noon ay mga POGO operations,” Hontiveros said during the Kapihan sa Senado media forum.

[Translation: We've received reports that some government officials are even advising them to do things like, 'Just change your setup,' at least legally presenting themselves as simple BPOs – but hidden within are POGO operations.]

Hontiveros said the officials were not identified.

“Pero pinublicize ko na kaagad para magserve ng warning na kung totoo yan — at alam nila kung sino sila — itigil na nila yan (But I made it public right away to serve as a warning that if it’s true — and they know who they are — they should stop it immediately),” she said.

Hontiveros said she will consult with her legal team regarding the officials' liability, including possible obstruction of justice.

“At kung yung regulators mismo nagpapa-regulatory capture, o mga miyembro ng executive na dapat ay magpapatupad ng batas at sila mismo ay sumusuway sa isang ban na inanunsyo noong SONA… mas mabigat ang accountability nila,” Hontiveros added.

[Translation: And if the regulators themselves are engaging in regulatory capture, or members of the executive who are supposed to enforce the law but are actually undermining a ban announced during the SONA… their accountability is even greater.]

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the POGO ban during his State of the Nation Address in July, with a formal executive order issued earlier this month. However, POGOs have been creative in concealing their operations, "disguising" themselves as resorts and restaurants, said Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

Hontiveros said the final Senate hearing on POGO on Tuesday, Nov. 26, will aim to identify the individuals behind the so-called “guerrilla” offshore gaming operations. She added that detained former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, along with other key personalities, will be invited once again.

She also said she will reveal new information about the deployment of Chinese spies in the Philippines through POGOs.