The country’s most influential business organizations have echoed a call by the administration’s economic managers for putting an end to the activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) announced Thursday its support for gradually phasing out the operations of POGOs.
“We support a tiered phase-out of POGO operations in the country. First, we call for the immediate closure of all POGOs operating illegally and without operating licenses,” said PCCI president Enunina V. Mangio.
However, the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) was more decisive in its position on the POGO issue, calling for an immediate closure of all such businesses in the country.
In an interview, FPI chairman Jesus Arranza said that whatever short-term benefits the Philippines derives from POGOs pale in comparison to their overall economic and social cost.
“What economic gains are they talking about? Are they (POGOs) paying the right taxes? They are siphoning money from the Philippines while giving back only a small amount to the (domestic) economy. The congressional inquiries into this issue have shown that POGOs are fronts for money laundering operations,” he told the Manila Standard.
At the Upper Chamber, Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Joel Villanueva also joined the call to ban POGOs, citing that their “social cost was too high.”
“Let’s ban POGOs in the country. Give them one year to two years to transition then totally ban them already,” Zubiri said in a message.
“The revenue earned is not enough to justify their continued stay which results to criminality and immorality. Illegal trafficking of women, Illegal employment of workers pretending to be tourists, prostitution, kidnapping, gun running and murders remains unabated by mainland Chinese POGO operators,” he added.
For his part, Villanueva thanked the Marcos administration’s economic managers, the business community and Philippine National Police in supporting the proposed ban.
“The expulsion of POGOs would be the best gift our President can give our countrymen, especially if he announces it during his third State of the Nation address on Monday,” the lawmaker said in Filipino.
Citing “immense social threats” linked to POGOs, including crime, scams, and human rights abuses, Mangio stressed the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes both social well-being and economic stability.
While acknowledging the negative impacts of POGOs, the PCCI cautioned against sudden closures that could lead to massive job losses and disruptions across various sectors, including food services, transportation, and administrative support.
The organization also highlighted concerns about the potential impact on the commercial property sector, which has seen significant investment in buildings specifically designed to house POGO operations.
“We also call on PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) and other government agencies involved in regulating the POGO business including the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Immigration to carefully review the mandates from licenses, work licenses, and tax obligations of the POGO operators,” Mangio added.
Arranza noted that even in China, POGOs have been outlawed, forcing them to relocate to jurisdictions where laws are more pliable.
Furthermore, the business leader expressed alarm over the multitude of illegal activities that have sprouted around POGOs, not the least of which are the kidnapping of Chinese nationals.
On Wednesday, the Philippine Business Groups (PBG) also expressed their support for the Department of Finance (DOF) and National Economic and Development Authority’s (NEDA) recommendation to completely ban POGOs in the country.
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said the administration’s economic managers are of one mind in recommending a total ban of POGOs.
The finance chief said their recommendation was contained in a letter sent to President Marcos.
”We did write a letter because we were asked to make a recommendation. It’s up to the President to make the decision,” Recto said.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan also expressed support for the total ban despite a potential revenue loss of as much as P20 billion.
“It may be a big number, but the cost and particularly social cost of POGOs are quite high,” he pointed out
“We are trying to position our country as a legitimate place for business where we are trying to attract investors to come, tourists to come and so the least that we want is, to have a reputation. The criminals are still here,” he added.
Meanwhile the National Bureau of Investigation in Davao (NBI-11) has started probing the issuance of over 1,200 birth certificates to Chinese nationals in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
NBI-11 Director Arcelito Albao on Tuesday said “they have received information about the 1,200 late registrations, and have looked into reports if some of these individuals have criminal records in the Philippines.”
He said the agency is still verifying how many among the 1,200 birth certificates are falsified.
The investigation stemmed from the recent apprehension of a 21-year old Chinese national who allegedly used a spurious birth certificate issued at the Local Civil Registry Office in Sta. Cruz to apply for a Philippine passport.
The suspect, who registered under the alias Hengson Jabillez Limosnero, is believed to be Chinese national Qui Halin.
He was arrested after the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) noted that “the individual had provided contradictory statements while applying for a passport to travel to the United States.”
Further, the NBI reported that Mario Tizon, civil registrar of the Municipality of Santa Cruz since 1994, has been suspended.
The agency also reported that it has expanded its investigation nationwide, probing areas such as Pampanga and Tarlac, where most of illegal POGOs have been established.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in a statement also assured they will continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, blocking doubtful birth records in the PSA database, and case building for purposes of endorsing the same for possible filing of a petition for cancelation of birth record/certificate.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “PCCI backs gradual phaseout of POGOs, too”
