Comelec sees end of ‘POGO politics’

MANILA, Philippines — With President Marcos’ order banning Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) now sees the end of “POGO politics.”

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that with the ban on POGO, there would be one less problem for the poll body ahead of the 2025 midterm elections, which is sources of illegal campaign funds.

POGO politics is believed to have propelled to top positions some politicians, including Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.

With POGO out of the picture, Garcia said, the Comelec will now focus on other possible illegal sources of politicians’ campaign funds.

“Narco politics, jueteng politics, we will look out for other politics,” he said.

The ban has effectively “displaced and displeased” politicians banking on POGO money for their campaign, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chair of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said.

Barbers added that POGO workers who violated the country’s laws should “not be left unpunished.”

He said the President’s directive would “surely hurt financially local politicians and other government officials called ‘Bagong Makapili or Chinese enablers’ who earned various perks and privileges in the past for turning a blind eye despite the social menace brought in by POGOs.” – Daphne Galvez, Emmanuel Tupas, Sheila Crisostomo, Evelyn Macairan, Ric Sapnu