Duterte says Congress can pass law on POGOs

March 10, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte said that Congress could pass a law to properly regulate the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

In a press conference Monday night in Malacanang, Duterte maintained that there is no need to outlaw the  industry amid the problems that have come out due to the proliferation of Chinese-operated POGOs.

"Now, there is a compelling reason...if there's no legal impediment, I want it legalized. If they can pass a law about POGO, fine, go ahead. Supervise it by law. Not us," he said.

POGOs are operating in the country under the supervision of the state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Duterte assured that every centavo earned from any gaming operation, including POGOs, being supervised by Pagcor is accounted for.

"There is no corruption there," he said.

Duterte noted that from POGOs, the government earns about P2 billion a month as reported to him by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.

"We are not justifying it. We are just saying that it is allowed because we need the funds," he said.

He acknowledged that the funds collected from POGOs really help the government.

As to the concern of some senators on alleged money laundering involving POGOs, Duterte said this was not true after he received a copy of the report of the regulators.

He also said the government could not stop Chinese from entering the country unless they are criminals.

"If they are here under the entry expedited by the Chinese Embassy but they are here to work as bonafide workers of POGO, there’s nothing I can do about it," he said.

The Senate has investigated POGOs in the country amid complaints of kidnappings, money laundering, and bribery, among others. Celerina Monte/DMS