Marcos reiterates ban on POGOs in all forms

MANILA, Philippines — All offshore gaming operations are banned in the country and there is no way they can operate under any similar license, President Marcos assured the public on Monday.

The President made the remarks following Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ warning of several loopholes in his Executive Order (EO) 74 on the “immediate” ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in the country.

“There’s just no way… because it’s the nature of the operation that we are banning. It’s not because it’s under PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.) or not. As long as it’s POGO, (if) that’s their license, it’s banned,” Marcos said in an interview in Parañaque City.

Asked whether there is a need to pass a law to ban POGOs, Marcos replied that the EO is already “sufficient.”

Hontiveros said the ban under EO 74 signed by Marcos on Nov. 5 excludes online games of chance conducted in PAGCOR-operated casinos, licensed casinos or integrated resorts with junket agreements.

The senator added it was not clear whether or not the ban covers the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) and other economic zones.

Malacañang has directed the CEZA to comply with the ban on POGOs and internet gaming licensees, entities whose operations were deemed “high reputational risks.”

The order was made through a memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and issued to CEZA administrator and chief executive officer Katrina Ponce Enrile, also on Nov. 5.

President Marcos declared a ban on POGOs in his third State of the Nation Address last July, citing the crimes done within the said industry as the reason for the ban.

Senators previously pushed for the approval of a measure which bans all POGOs in the country. It also seeks to repeal Republic Act 11590, the law that taxes POGOs.

To help POGO workers who may lose their jobs, the Department of Labor and Employment-National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR) announced that around 3,000 vacancies would be offered in a special job fair set for them on Nov. 19-20 at the SM Mall of Asia’s Music Hall in Pasay City.

“Initially, a total of 16 local employers will participate, providing a diverse range of jobs, like sales consultants, cashiers, receptionists, encoders, drivers, delivery helpers, service crews and more,” DOLE-NCR disclosed.

It advised applicants to pre-register via the link: https://tinyurl.com/projectdapat and bring copies of their resumes and other required pre-employment documents to the said event.

A one-stop-shop service is also available at the venue to assist job seekers with their pre-employment documents.

DOLE estimated that over 79,0000 workers could be rendered jobless by the closure of POGOs.

Simultaneous special POGO job fairs in Parañaque City and Makati City were conducted last October. — Mayen Jaymalin