Last week, Philippines Senator Ronald ‘’Bato’’ dela Rosa told reporters that all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) should be relocated to a special zone until they are phased out completely. The controversial operations have been tainted by allegations of kidnapping, human trafficking and abuse of workers.
According to Inside Asian Gaming, the chairman of the Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee said POGOs should be relegated to a controlled zone so that lawmakers can “strictly supervise their operations and avoid the occurrence of crimes.”
He also said POGOs should be shut down gradually rather than immediately. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian recently called for the industry to be closed within three months. Gatchalian said the “POGO experiment” didn’t provide the economic benefits it promised but “created new avenues for crime and corruption, damaging our country’s reputation among diplomatic allies, foreign investors, potential tourists and even our own countrymen.”
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), which regulates gaming in the country, has said the POGO industry will not be closed but would benefit by greater supervision.
“PAGCOR would like to reiterate its firm commitment to uphold the integrity of the gaming industry in the Philippines, including offshore gaming,” the agency said in a recent statement.
“PAGCOR reassures the public that to maintain the integrity of regulated gaming in the country, the state-run firm will not hesitate to impose appropriate sanctions or penalties to erring licensees or service providers. We will ensure that all revenues from regulated gaming will continue to support the government’s nation-building efforts and uplift the lives of Filipinos.”
The Manila Bulletin reported that dela Rosa will request a collective decision on the “conflicting recommendations” on the future of POGOs.
Last fall, Philippines House, Ways & Means Committee Chairman Senator Joey Salceda also argued for greater oversight rather than a shutdown, which would “allow the government to benefit from the income while insulating the industry from the rest of the country.”
