The House Quad Committee lifted its contempt order against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo or Guo Hua Ping, Chinese businessman Tony Yang or Yang Jianxin, and Lucky South 99 representative Cassandra Ong.
The mega panel, during its 13th hearing late Thursday night on illegal POGO activities, ordered their release from detention.
Ong, detained at the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW), faced contempt charges on October 23 for failing to submit key documents regarding her stake in Whirlwind Corporation, which is linked to Lucky South 99, a POGO hub based in Porac, Pampanga.
Guo was cited in contempt on September 19 and is currently held at the Pasig City Jail. She was accused of coddling POGO operators during her tenure as Bamban mayor through her China-linked business enterprises.
Yang, on the other hand, was detained under the custody of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission. He was cited in contempt on September 27 for allegedly lying about his business associates.
As this developed, PAOCC said over 150 smaller scale POGOs are being monitored as the December 15 deadline for the shut down of POGOs draws near.
Amid the pending shutdown of such businesses by the yearend, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said on Friday.
“Based on PAGCOR’s record, there are some 20 POGOs that we are waiting to totally shut down,” PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz said.
“But we are monitoring over 150 others that still operate despite the President’s pronouncement of a total ban. These originated from bigger POGOs which turned into smaller scale operations. Some of them moved their businesses in resorts, condominiums, and even gated houses,” Cruz added.
As of November 29, government data showed there were 53,700 canceled offshore gaming employment licenses.
At least 18 voluntarily canceled their internet gambling licenses while 27 are in the process of winding down their operations.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday urged local government units to remain vigilant against POGOs, emphasizing the need for heightened surveillance and action.
“We have instructed PAGCOR, PAOCC, PNP, and CIDG to intensify their operations against illegal POGO and IGL operations in our country,” Mr. Marcos said.
He also called on LGUs to actively address suspicious activities in their areas.
