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Poe says social costs of POGOs 'too high'

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Courtesy of Jessica Fenol, ABS-CBN News; Bibo Nueva España, Senate PRIB" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/life/09/28/20220928-pogo.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Courtesy of Jessica Fenol, ABS-CBN News; Bibo Nueva España, Senate PRIB</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — A senator is leaning towards supporting calls for a possible ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators due to rising crimes related to the industry.</p><p>According to Sen. Grace Poe, the social costs of POGOs are &quot;too high&quot;.</p><p>She noted a string of POGO-related abductions and decreasing tax collections from the industry.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/17/22/over-70-foreigners-allegedly-detained-at-pogo-site-rescued">Over 70 foreigners allegedly detained at POGO site in Cainta rescued</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/27/22/ph-to-deport-40000-chinese-workers-in-gambling-crackdown">Philippines to deport 40,000 Chinese workers in online gaming crackdown</a></li></ul><p>&quot;These are questions that we really have to consider before we make a categorical decision on whether we should ban them or not,&quot; she told ANC&#x27;s &quot;Headstart&quot; on Wednesday. </p><p>&quot;But my leanings now, unless otherwise they could improve during our hearing with the [Senate] Ways and Means [Committee] next week, is the social costs are a bit too high.&quot;</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/09/26/22/175-pogos-linked-to-crimes-ordered-shut-says-doj">DOJ says shutdown ordered of 175 POGOs linked to crimes</a></li></ul><p>For Poe, the country should consider &quot;creative ways&quot; to generate income.</p><p>&quot;Hindi naman kasi puwede na porket kumikita tayo sa isang bagay &#x27;yun na lang ang susuportahan natin. Isipin din natin, &#x27;Ano ang kapalit nito?&#x27;&quot; she said.</p><p>(We cannot support something just because we earn from it. We should also ask, &#x27;What are we exchanging for this?&#x27;) </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/09/27/22/pogo-ban-to-spawn-worse-social-costs-lawmaker">POGO ban to trigger &#x27;worse&#x27; social costs, says lawmaker</a></li></ul><p>Poe also dismissed concerns the total ban would only drive POGOs underground.</p><p>&quot;There will always be underground economies particularly in gambling,&quot; she said.</p><p>She added, &quot;As much as we need the income, I don&#x27;t think we are desperate enough to say that &#x27;Never mind the cost. Let&#x27;s just go with this.&quot;</p><p>Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said earlier this month that revenues from POGOs peaked in 2020 at P7.2 billion but fell sharply last year to P3.9 billion. </p><p>&quot;If you ask my personal opinion on this, let&#x27;s discontinue with the POGO because of the social cost,&quot; he told a Senate hearing.</p><p>But David Leechiu, chief executive of Manila-based Leechiu Property Consultants, estimated the Philippine economy could lose P200 billion in rental revenue and salaries if POGOs were expelled.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s one of those drivers of the economy that we should not take for granted,&quot; he told AFP.</p><p>&quot;Yes, there are problems but what business does not have a problem?&quot; </p><p>A Senate panel will set a hearing next week on the economic impact of banning POGO firms in the country. </p><div><strong> — With a report from Agence France-Presse </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2259848" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

A senator is leaning towards supporting calls for a possible ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators due to crimes related to the industry.