83% support POGO ban – OCTA poll

MANILA, Philippines —  Eight in 10 Filipinos are in favor of banning Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), a recent OCTA Research survey found.

Results of the June 26 to July 1 survey released yesterday found that 83 percent of the respondents agreed that POGO operations should be banned in the country. Only 12 percent disagreed with the statement, while five percent said they do not know enough to give an opinion on the matter.

Support for POGO ban was highest among respondents in balance Luzon (90 percent), followed by those in the Visayas (81 percent), Mindanao (78 percent) and Metro Manila (73 percent).

Across socio-economic backgrounds, it was highest among class D respondents (86 percent), followed by those in class ABC (73 percent) and class E (72 percent).

The same survey also found 85 percent of respondents saying they would vote for candidates who support a ban on POGO operations, 12 percent said they would not and three percent said they do not know.

Support for candidates who agree with a POGO ban was highest among those in balance Luzon (93 percent), followed by those in the Visayas (81 percent), Mindanao (77 percent) and Metro Manila (77 percent).

The survey had 1,200 adult respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus three percent for national percentages.

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe said yesterday that, despite the directive of President Marcos to ban POGO, a law should be passed to permanently stop it.

“There must be a law (to ban POGO). Like the e-sabong (online cockfighting), it is banned. And yet, we all know that it still exists. So aside from the law… our law enforcement must implement the laws that will be passed. Otherwise, nothing will happen,” Poe said during an interview over dzBB.

She added that the measure should remain in effect after 2028, when Marcos’ term ends, as the next administration may also have a different view and allow POGOs to operate again in the country.

Poe promised to talk with Senate President Francis Escudero on the matter, noting that her colleague does not see the need to create a law banning POGOs.

Aside from this, Poe urged the Department of Labor and Employment to assist about 40,000 Filipino workers who will be displaced by the ban.

“They must be given other job opportunities or, if not immediately, they should be given assistance by our government,” she said.

Poe also urged the public to remain vigilant against illegal online gambling and to “help the Bureau of Immigration to deport all these foreign nationals who were caught in our country.” – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Evelyn Macairan