“A 10 out of 10.”
This was the score given by longtime anti-gambling advocate Representative Benny Abante after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) would henceforth banned in the Philippines as “their operations have ventured into elicit areas farthest from gaming such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, even murder.”
Saying that “the grave abuse and great disrespect to our system of laws must stop,” the President directed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to “wind down and cease the operations of POGOs by the end of the year.”
Abante, author of House Bill 5082, one of the two measures banning POGOs approved by the House, said that “the President, by banning POGOs, made it clear that there is no room for this illicit industry in the Bagong Pilipinas.”
“This is a welcome policy shift that sends a positive signal to our people.”
“This is a welcome policy shift that sends a positive signal to our people,” the veteran legislator said.
“We are hopeful that the President will continue to direct his administration to pursue investments that will bring jobs and livelihood opportunities that do not come with the social costs and evils that accompany gambling,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
“The administration should also monitor the execution of this directive so that the PAGCOR does not drag its heels and executes the President’s order immediately.”
He pointed out that aside from ensuring the employment of workers to be displaced by the POGO ban, “the administration should also monitor the execution of this directive so that the PAGCOR does not drag its heels and executes the President’s order immediately.”
“The President gave a very clear timeline for this directive. Dapat sa katapusan ng 2024, wala na ang POGO. If this deadline is not met, the officials responsible should be held accountable,” Abante concluded.
