MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered on Monday a ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) due to their involvement in criminal activities.

During his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Chief Executive finally addressed calls to ban POGOs, saying they have veered away from offering online gambling services to venturing into "illicit" practices.

He instructed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to “wind down and cease the operation of POGOs by the end of the year.”

"Effective today, all POGOs are banned," Marcos said at the tail-end of his hour-and-a-half report to the nation at the Batasang Pambansa Complex.

READ: Budget chief says PH 'does not need' POGOs

The direction was met with cheers from the audience at the SONA, with attendees even giving a standing ovation.

Prior to this, Marcos had been silent on on calls to ban POGOs.

The President also tasked the Department of Labor and Employment to coordinate with the country's economic managers "to find new jobs for our countrymen who will be displaced" by the POGO closures.

In his speech, Marcos slammed POGOs for engaging in activities “farthest from gaming, such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, even murder.”

"The grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop," he said.

READ: PH biz groups support closure of POGOs

PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco said he was ready to implement Marcos' directive to shut down POGO operations within the coming months.

However, Tengco expressed concerns that the new order might lead to a proliferation of illegal POGOs.

"Dadami 'yong ilegal so kailangan talaga ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa law enforcement agencies," he said.

(The number of illegal POGOs will increase, so coordination with law enforcement agencies is essential.)

READ: Government agencies call for ban on POGOs anew

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, among the most outspoken critics of POGOs, said she was "relieved" and "very glad" of Marcos' policy. "Malaking tagumpay [ito] ngayong araw sa mga babae at bata na nagsumbong laban sa POGO, tagumpay sa mga whistleblowers na nagsumbong tungkol sa POGO, tagumpay sa...dumaraming mga government agencies na nakikipagtulungan sa amin," she said an interview.

(This is a significant victory today for the women and children who spoke out against POGO, a victory for the whistleblowers who reported on POGO, and a victory for the increasing number of government agencies that helped us over the past months.)
When asked if government agencies could adhere to the President's timetable, Hontiveros responded: “I think that's a good timetable.”

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, which has been involved in POGO hub raids, said it was also happy with the ban and believed the deadline for implementation was adequate.

For his part, House Speaker Martin Romualdez commended the decision of Marcos, his cousin, calling it a "bold move" that underscores “the President's commitment to lawful economic practices.”

Several lawmakers also expressed support for the POGO ban.

“That’s what everybody was waiting for. Will he or won’t he? …So now, it’s very clear,”Pampanga 2nd District Representative and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said, adding that she is “more than satisfied” with the President’s SONA. “We cheer the President's decision to ban POGOs and order to PAGCOR to wind down the operations of all POGOs by yearend. That declaration inspires me even more to push for HB 3559 because this bill is consistent with the President's order ridding us of the POGOs. HB 3559 will give the PAGCOR stronger legal footing to enforce the winding down process,” Bukidnon 2nd District Representative Jonathan Keith Flores said.

“Suportado natin ang POGO ban. Ito ay mahalaga sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan, kaayusan, at karangalan ng ating bayan. Ating suportahan ang hakbang na ito ng ating Pangulong Marcos upang matiyak ang mas maliwanag, maayos, at makatarungang kinabukasan para sa lahat ng Pilipino, OFW Party List Representative Marissa Magsino added.

“The directive of the President is a very welcome development to CIBAC Party-List’s anti-gambling advocacy… Its ill-effects are already manifested by various social costs, which far outweigh its alleged benefits. The President’s POGO ban should ultimately refresh government resolve to stamp out all forms of gambling in the country. We earnestly hope and pray that this policy will be translated into complete implementation,” CIBAC Party List Representative Eddie Villanueva noted.

Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr. gave the President’s third SONA a perfect “10 out of 10” score due to the announcement of ban on POGOs.

"The President, by banning POGOs, made it clear that there is no room for this illicit industry in the Bagong Pilipinas. This is a welcome policy shift that sends a positive signal to our people," Abante said.

“The President gave a very clear timeline for this directive. Dapat sa katapusan ng 2024, wala na ang POGO. If this deadline is not met, the officials responsible should be held accountable,” he added.

BAN TO AFFECT REVENUES

House Ways and Means Committee Chairperson Rep. Joey Salceda said the government is expected to lose revenues of about P12 billion once the ban on POGOs is implemented.

This will affect the Presidential Social Funds, which the President uses at his discretion for social services, and PAGCOR's budget for community building, Salceda said.

"The key risk there is that POGO is just a small part of a bigger pie called IGL, which is the internet gaming licenses... I hope they find a way of banning POGOs, without having to affect the IGLs," said the lawmaker, who represents Albay's second congressional district.

House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. France Castro, meanwhile, urged the government to ensure accountability for officials that "protected" and benefited from POGOs.

Unlicensed POGOs, including one recently raided in a compound in Porac, Pampanga, have been linked to various crimes such as illegal drug activities, scam operations, and alleged torture of workers.

Several government agencies and lawmakers have called for a total ban on POGOs, with the Department of Finance reporting that the country loses over P99 billion annually due to their operations. — With reports from RG Cruz, Vivienne Gulla and Victoria Tulad, ABS-CBN News

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