Senators back measures removing Pogo industry from PH soil for good
MANILA, Philippines — Back to back measures seeking the permanent ban of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) have reached the Senate plenary on Monday.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairperson of the chamber’s panel on ways and means, stood to sponsor Committee Report No. 136 and Senate Bill No. 2868 under Committee Report No. 342 during the chamber’s plenary session.
In his sponsorship speech for CRN 136, Gatchalian emphasized the Senate’s role as the “vanguard” in investigating Pogos and unmasking them as a “menace to Philippine society that must be ended.”
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To back his call for the termination of all Pogos nationwide, the senator noted that upon the Senate’s Pogo inquiries, they have discovered that the economic and social costs provided by these firms greatly outweigh the economic benefits that the government get from it.
“Our criticism of Pogos as undesirable institutions is not based merely on speculation and conjecture. It is supported by cold, hard evidence,” said Gatchalian.
Article continues after this advertisement“According to the July 2024 position of the Department of Finance, in 2023, the annual net cost of allowing offshore gaming operations to continue in the Philippines is P99.52 billion,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisementGatchalian said Filipinos would “pay the price” if Pogos would be allowed to continue operating in the Philippines.
“This is something we cannot afford to happen,” he said.
Later into the session, Gatchalian likewise sponsored the Anti-Pogo Act of 2024—a measure that also tackles the banning of Pogos across the country.
Highlight of the measure include its provision which seeks to repeal Republic Act No. 11590, otherwise known as “An Act Taxing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations”, which legitimized offshore gaming in the Philippines.
“By repealing this law, we are fully committing to remove the Pogo industry from Philippine soil,” said Gatchalian.
In a separate co-sponsorship speech, opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros said former President Rodrigo Duterte was at fault for allowing Pogos into the country.
“Nangako sila ng trabaho at tulong—pero ang tunay nilang dala, karumal-dumal na panloloko, abuso, at panganib ‘di lang sa mga Pilipino kundi pati sa pambansang kaayusan at seguridad,” said Hontiveros.
“At the proper time, I will introduce amendments to provide stiffer penalties to government officials who aid and abet the continued operations of these Pogos,” she added.
President Marcos, during his third State of the Nation Address in July, ordered the ban of all Pogos in the Philippines. He then subsequently ordered Pagcor to wind down and seize the operations of these firms by the end of the year.
