‘Senate probe on POGO can be terminated’

MANILA, Philippines — The investigation of the Senate panel on the alleged scamming and human trafficking in Clark related to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) can already be terminated as numerous loopholes in existing laws have been exposed, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said.

Pimentel expressed excitement to see the report of the Senate committee on women and children chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros that investigated the POGOs in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga.

He clarified that Hontiveros will decide whether to terminate the investigation.

“The result of the committee investigation is good, that is the lead committee under the leadership of the deputy minority leader. Imagine that, all of them were exposed, the POGO issue exploded, seeing the weakness and loopholes in the late registration,” said Pimentel.

“We have a loophole in the National ID if that is the case. I have already talked to Sen. Risa and I said I’m excited about your report, maybe you can wind it up now,” Pimentel said in an interview yesterday over dzBB.

Despite the directive of President Marcos to ban POGOs, Sen. Grace Poe said a law should be passed to permanently stop the gaming hubs.

Poe added that the law would remain in effect even after the term of Marcos in 2028.

“There must be a law. Just like the online cockfighting is forbidden but we know it still exists. So aside from the law, the implementation of the law is also necessary… So our law enforcement must implement the laws that will be passed otherwise nothing will happen,” Poe noted during an interview over dzBB.

“Today, our Senate President said that is not necessary. I will talk to him, I will ask him, you know Senate President Francis Escudero is good when it comes to legal issues. But for me, when the administration changes, the wind might change and (POGOs) might come back,” she said.