Senator Win Gatchalian, chairperson of the committee on ways and means, leads the fourth public hearing on three Senate resolutions that calls for probe into the economic impact of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) industry in the Philippines on Monday, January 23, 2023. Photo from Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation鈥檚 (Pagcor) lack of urgency on the illegal activities of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) is annoying Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.
During Monday鈥檚 hearing of the Senate committee on ways and means, Gatchalian asked what Pagcor鈥檚 actions are against erring Pogo firms Brickhartz Technology Inc. and MOA Cloudzone Corp.
鈥淭hese are accredited service providers and they are connected to the crime that was mentioned by Senator [Grace] Poe in her privilege speech. Tama po ba (Correct)?鈥�
鈥淭he privilege speech was given [on] December 14 and you鈥檙e telling me wala pa kayong ginagawa (you have not done anything)?鈥� the panel chairperson also asked Pagcor.
Pagcor Offshore Gaming Licensing Department Assistant Vice President Jessa Fernandez said Brickhartz was imposed with penalties and demerits while they have yet to receive a report for MOA Cloudzone.
READ: Pagcor is blind about where exactly Pogo players are wagering
Brickhartz, according to Fernandez, was fined $10,000 or P500,000 due to criminal activity.
Still, Gatchalian lamented that not much has happened since Poe鈥檚 privilege speech was delivered in December 2022.
Pagcor Legal Group Vice President Roderick Consolacion, however, noted that Fernandez was just appointed to the position in the past week and that they underwent a reorganization.
But Gatchalian said changes in the agency are not acceptable reasons.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 accept the reason that because Atty. Jessa is new [and] you have a reorganization, a crime that was perpetuated last month, December 14 in particular, after 30 days, more than 30 days, nothing is happening,鈥� the senator said.
鈥淭he same people are operating. The same entities are still accredited by Pagcor and you鈥檙e just telling us that you just fined them P500,000, hoping that they will change morally. Don鈥檛 give us the reason that you have a new head. There鈥檚 no sense of urgency within Pagcor in so far as dealing with the crime. That鈥檚 the problem,鈥� he added.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently said the issue with Pogos stem from those that were illegally operating.
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