PUSHED against the wall, House Speaker Martin Romualdez found himself retracting his position by issuing a press release supporting the President’s decision to ban all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country.
In a statement released hours after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the ban on all offshore gaming operations in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), Romualdez described the administration’s position over the controversial POGO as a commitment to the rule of law.
“This bold move underscores the President’s commitment to lawful economic practices,” Romualdez was quoted as saying in the statement farmed out to the media.
The House leader likewise said that the President’s directive to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to find jobs for those who will be displaced by the ban also reveals a compassionate side.
The President’s decision on prohibiting POGO drew cheers and a standing ovation from lawmakers and guests present at the Batasang Pambansa complex.
Romualdez previously expressed reservations on the idea of totally banning POGOs, even as he admitted then, that he favors the continued stay of Chinese-dominated POGO activities but with PAGCOR strictly regulating them.
According to Romualdez, restricting POGO’s may only force them to go underground – which means the government can neither collect taxes nor regulate them, possibly leading to more crimes emanating from it.
“The President’s instruction to the Department of Labor and Employment to find jobs for POGO workers who will be displaced by his directive shows a compassionate approach to the transition,” he added.
In his 90-minute speech, Marcos told the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to “wind down and cease the operations of POGOs by the end of the year.” (ANGEL F. JOSE)
