MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s policy on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) is a significant point of interest for lawmakers as they prepare for his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday. This follows calls to ban the industry due to rising criminal activities associated with illegal POGOs.
“S’yempre aabangan din ‘yan, hindi lang ng mga tao, pero kami sa legislative, kung ano ang magiging guidance. Susunod lang naman kung ano ang guidance ng Pangulo. Kung sabihin ng Pangulo, i-terminate na ‘yan, PAGCOR will have the power to do that. Nakaabang naman ang Congress and Senate,” House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo stated.
“I would really like to hear from the President if he really is pro or if he is against… Nakita natin during the committee hearing kahapon… ang mga illegal POGO operations, paano sila gumagawa ng karumal-dumal na krimen within their hub. Gusto natin din malaman kung ano ang direksyon ng ating Presidente pagdating doon sa pag-curb, at to run after these illegal POGO operators,” House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao Del Sur First District Rep. Zia Adiong added.
During a joint hearing of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety and the House Committee on Games and Amusements on Wednesday, disturbing video clips of physical abuse and torture of alleged workers in raided POGO hubs were shown. Rescued workers shared harrowing stories of their experiences.
The Department of Justice emphasized that banning POGOs could aid efforts to curb illegal activities linked to the industry. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) pledged to support whatever decision is made by the President and Congress. PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco assured that stricter measures were being implemented to ensure only legitimate POGOs operate.
“Bini-briefing naman ni PAGCOR Chair Al Tengco si Pangulo, ‘yung pros and cons niya. Medyo malaki rin ang mawawala, billions din. Because POGOs, they are weighing taxes din. Aside from taxes sa BIR, nagbabayad din sila… sa licenses every year. So, wine-weigh din,” Tulfo told the media on Thursday.
“Ang problema kasi natin ‘yung illegal na POGOs, they are so many. ‘Yun siguro talaga ang habulin,” he added.
PAGCOR reported earnings of P5.17 billion from licensed POGOs last year and expects to earn P7 billion from the sector this year.
Lawmakers are also keen to hear the President’s plans to tackle the high prices of basic commodities, which have remained high while minimum wages are still low.
“Gusto natin marinig ‘yung progress ng ating Presidente pagdating doon sa kanya policy na gusto niya before the end of his term, make sure that no Filipino family will go hungry. ‘Yung pagbababa ng basic commodities, especially ‘yung bigas natin,” Adiong said.
“Aminado naman ang Congress, ang gobyerno na we have problems sa inflation, ‘yung mga pagtaas sa presyo ng bilihin, naiwan ang sweldo ng tao, hindi umangat. May issue sa West Philippine Sea. Ang inaabangan ng mga kababayan natin, ano ang mga sasabihin ng Pangulo? What are the solutions?” Tulfo added.
He mentioned that bills proposing an across-the-board wage hike, ranging from P150 to P750, would be discussed when Congress resumes.
“It was the Speaker who suggested na gawing P150 ‘yung ifa-file sa Congress. Before nag-break, the Speaker was talking to some house leadership regarding this matter… I will inform the Speaker siguro i-prioritize itong P150 na salary increase… Kailangan gumalaw na rin. Pero siguro we still have to think about it. Sabi nga ng NEDA, baka maraming magsarang kumpanya kung ipipilit natin ‘yung P150,” Tulfo said.
Additionally, lawmakers are eager to hear the President’s directives on the increasing tension in the West Philippine Sea.