Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Thursday, November 21, that certain government officials reportedly coached illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) to disguise their operations as business process outsourcing (BPO) companies.
During the Kapihan sa Senado forum, Hontiveros said that this tactic is just one of many used by POGO operators, especially after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an executive order banning these businesses due to their suspected connections to online scams, human trafficking, and other criminal activities.
“The information we got is that there are government officials who even advise them to – ‘Ah, just change your form,’ at least legally as simple BPOs, but hidden inside it are Pogo operations,” Hontiveros said.
“No names were given to us. Just that phenomenon – that it’s happening. I am publicizing it now to serve as a warning, if true. They know who they are. They must stop,” Hontiveros also said when asked if her panel would invite the concerned government officials.
In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, President Marcos directed the ban on all Pogos, instructing the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to lead the process of winding down their operations and shutting them down by the end of 2024.
Marcos then issued Executive Order No. 74 earlier this month imposing an immediate ban on offshore and internet gaming in the country.
When asked if she believes the executive order favored certain parties, Hontiveros expressed hope that this is not the case.
“I hope nobody was favored because I remember that I asked about an apparent loophole in the EO that CEZA could escape the ban on POGOs, but Executive Secretary [Lucas] Bersamin clarified that they (CEZA) are included and there will be a separate issuance [of an EO] from the Office of the President particularly for CEZA,” Hontiveros said. (TCSP)
