POGO probe still on; Chiz rejects Guo apology

MANILA, Philippines — Despite President Marcos’ order to ban Philippine offshore gaming operations, the Senate will continue its investigation into POGO-related crimes, including alleged scamming and human trafficking in their hubs, Senate President Francis Escudero said yesterday.

In an interview with reporters, Escudero said the Senate probe would guarantee the implementation of the President’s orders contained in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

“There is no reason not to continue that, because that is a guarantee that what President Marcos said during the SONA – that POGO has been banned and that the remaining legal POGOs will wind down – will be realized,” he said.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, said safety nets should be put in place for Filipino workers in the POGO industry who will be displaced by the ban.

“We will ensure that legislating a total ban on POGOs will include a provision for safety nets for workers who would be adversely affected by the ban,” said Gatchalian, chair of the Senate committee on ways and means, which recently conducted a public hearing on the proposed ban on all POGOs.

In re-creating the Philippine economy without POGOs as a source of income, the senator said the government needs to lay down transitory mechanisms, such as employment of affected Filipino nationals, saying that the welfare of workers currently working for the industry should be looked after.

Based on data provided by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) submitted by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, a total of 25,064 Filipinos are employed by various POGOs operating in the country as of 2023. This accounts for 52.2 percent share of local workers in terms of POGO employment, compared to the 22,915 foreign workers working for the industry.

“Safety nets for POGO workers would include upskilling and reskilling programs to ensure that they can have replacement jobs as soon as possible,” Gatchalian said.

Expressing support for the proposed legislation to ban POGO operations in the country, DOLE Undersecretary Felipe Egargo said the department is prepared to implement programs intended to aid POGO workers as soon as necessary.

Meanwhile, suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo has apologized to Escudero over her earlier remarks, which seemingly dictated on, and reprimanded, senators for the ongoing Senate probe on her alleged involvement with POGOs.

Escudero, however, refused to accept Guo’s apology unless she shows up and honors the subpoena and warrant of arrest issued by the Senate in connection with the investigation of the committee on women, children and family affairs on alleged scamming and human trafficking.

The panel is set to conduct the next hearing on July 29. — Mayen Jaymalin, Daphne Galvez