Several senators are hopeful that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will announce a total ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) next week.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who has been at the forefront of the investigations into the raided POGO hubs, expressed her wish in a virtual interview, saying, “Sa SONA ni Presidente, sana sabihin nila pinapa-ban na nila agad ang POGO sa Pilipinas.” (During the President’s SONA, I hope that they will announce the immediate ban on POGOs in the Philippines.)
This call comes after Finance Secretary Ralph Recto and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan both voiced their opposition to POGOs. Hontiveros urged Marcos to consider the negative impacts POGOs have had on the Philippines.
Reflecting on the unfulfilled promises and the adverse effects of POGOs since their inception during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, Hontiveros highlighted the need for immediate action.
Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III suggested that announcing the ban during the SONA would be a significant political move. “Baka gulatin niya tayo, sisipa ang approval rating ng Presidente ‘pag inannounce niya sa SONA niya na he is now banning completely all POGO activities in the Philippines. Napakagandang political move po ‘yun,” he stated on Super Radyo dzBB. (He might surprise us; the President’s approval rating will soar if he announces in his SONA that he is now banning all POGO activities in the Philippines. It would be a great political move.)
Pimentel added that such an announcement could be the highlight of the SONA, captivating the audience’s attention and generating widespread approval.
The push for the POGO ban follows concerns over their social costs, with Balisacan estimating potential revenue losses of P20 billion. Last week, Recto sent a letter to Marcos recommending a total ban on POGO operations due to ongoing issues within the industry.
The Philippine government has been cracking down on illegal POGO hubs through a series of raids, leading to the rescue of torture and kidnapping victims and the discovery of equipment used for criminal activities.