Operatives of PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group process seized computers and cellphones used for alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operation in Almanza Uno in Las Pinas City. File

MANILA — A total ban on Philippine offshore gaming operations may only drive them underground, according to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, adding that he favors a strict enforcement of laws instead.

In an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo’s "Gising Pilipinas", the House speaker said the ban should be imposed only on POGOs engaging in illegal activities.

POGO Paradise: How the Philippines became a hub for illegal POGOs

“‘Pag tinotal ban mo ‘yan, mawawala ba ‘yan?…’Pag total ban mo ‘yan, mag-u-underground ‘yan, kasi mukhang malakas talaga ang demand. Andito na ‘yan eh…Ako, sundan na lang muna natin ‘yung batas. Strict enforcement, kagaya ng ginagawa ngayon ng mga law enforcement, ng PNP, ni Chairman Al Tengco, at ngayon lumalago pa ang revenue,” Romualdez explained.

“Naalala mo ‘yung prohibition sa Amerika, ‘yung alkohol, noong nag-total ban, maski paano naka-underground- mahal, illegal, ang daming karumal-dumal na nangyayari. So hindi puwede siguro ‘yung automatic ban. Gamitin mo ‘yung batas, gamitin mo ‘yung law enforcement,” he added.

“May batas na kung sundan mo, kasi may buwis na nakalaan, at maayos ang koleksyon, pwede. Pero itong mga lumalabag sa batas, banned ‘yan. Dapat ikulong mo ‘yan. Dapat tanggalin mo, i-deport mo ‘yan…Itigil na natin lahat ng illegal activities ng POGO,” the House speaker noted.

PAGCOR: 'No need to outlaw' POGOs, intensify fight vs scam syndicates instead

The stricter enforcement of laws on POGOs led to an increase in the collection of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., despite a decline in the number of licensees, according to Romualdez.

There are currently 42 licensed POGOS in the country under PAGCOR, down from 298 in 2019.

Data obtained by the office of House Ways and Means Committee Chairperson Joey Salceda showed that 2023 PAGCOR collections from licensed POGOs improved to P5.1 billion from just 87 licensees, compared to P2.99 billion from 158 licensees the year prior.

This level is only exceeded by 2019 collections, the first full year of legalized POGO operations, when PAGCOR collected some P7.96 billion from 298 licensees.

“Mas malaki pa ‘yung kita ng gobyerno sa 42 kesa noong mayroon na higit 200. Kaya kung maayos lang ‘yung enforcement… maiiwasan itong mga incident na talagang nakaka-distract talaga. Sa totoo lang mayroon ding kita, pero pinalago. Pinalago ang kita at binawasan niya lahat ng illegal,” Romualdez said.

Last February, a house panel approved House Bill 5082 seeking to ban POGOs in the country, but it has yet to be tackled at the plenary. Last month, the Makabayan bloc at the lower chamber also filed House Bill 10525 seeking to prohibit and criminalize offshore gaming operations in the Philippines.

The measure also proposes to revoke the licenses granted to POGOs. This comes amid a spate of crimes being linked to illegal POGOs in the country.

“Ako, basta may batas, sundan lang natin ‘yung batas. Pero kung ayaw na talaga natin, edi i-repeal natin ‘yung batas. Kasi ngayon wala tayong magagawa, may batas. Sundan natin, istriktuhan natin,” he said.