House Speaker Romualdez open to hearing issues on POGOs
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House Speaker Romualdez open to hearing issues on POGOs
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
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 — House Speaker Martin Romualdez has yet to issue a clear position on whether or not he supports calls banning Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations in the country, but he said he was "open to hearing issues" concerning the gambling firms.
MANILA — House Speaker Martin Romualdez has yet to issue a clear position on whether or not he supports calls banning Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations in the country, but he said he was "open to hearing issues" concerning the gambling firms.
Romualdez said House bills seeking to prohibit and criminalize offshore gaming operations in the country have to go through the process and stakeholders will also be heard on the matter.
Romualdez said House bills seeking to prohibit and criminalize offshore gaming operations in the country have to go through the process and stakeholders will also be heard on the matter.
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 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.
On Tuesday, the Makabayan bloc also filed House Bill 10525 seeking to prohibit and criminalize offshore gaming operations in the Philippines.
On Tuesday, the Makabayan bloc also filed House Bill 10525 seeking to prohibit and criminalize offshore gaming operations in the Philippines.
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The measure also proposes to revoke the licenses granted to POGOs. This follows a spate of crimes being linked to illegal POGOs in the country.
The measure also proposes to revoke the licenses granted to POGOs. This follows a spate of crimes being linked to illegal POGOs in the country.
“We’re open to hearing all issues concerning the POGOs,” Romualdez said when asked whether he is open to banning POGOs.
“We’re open to hearing all issues concerning the POGOs,” Romualdez said when asked whether he is open to banning POGOs.
“Alam mo naman may proseso. Dadaan din ‘yan sa proseso, sa hearings. Papakinggan natin lahat ng stakeholders kung ano ang posisyon nila rito, at doon natin ititimbang kung ano ang dapat natin gawin,” he said.
“Alam mo naman may proseso. Dadaan din ‘yan sa proseso, sa hearings. Papakinggan natin lahat ng stakeholders kung ano ang posisyon nila rito, at doon natin ititimbang kung ano ang dapat natin gawin,” he said.
(You know there is a process. That will also go through the process, in the hearings. We will listen to all stakeholders what their position on the issue, and then we will weigh in on what we should do.)
(You know there is a process. That will also go through the process, in the hearings. We will listen to all stakeholders what their position on the issue, and then we will weigh in on what we should do.)
In the meantime, the House Speaker issued this call to POGOs.
In the meantime, the House Speaker issued this call to POGOs.
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“Basta dapat lahat ng stakeholders dyan sumunod sa batas at sa mga lumalabag sa batas, lagot kayo sa ating law enforcers. ‘Yung mga bawal ang ginagawa ninyo, talagang huhulihin kayo. Dapat sumunod kayo sa batas para hindi kayo magkakaproblema,” Romualdez said.
“Basta dapat lahat ng stakeholders dyan sumunod sa batas at sa mga lumalabag sa batas, lagot kayo sa ating law enforcers. ‘Yung mga bawal ang ginagawa ninyo, talagang huhulihin kayo. Dapat sumunod kayo sa batas para hindi kayo magkakaproblema,” Romualdez said.
(All the stakeholders must obey the law, and those who break the law will be punished by our law enforcers. Those who do illegal activities will be apprehended. You must obey the law so you don't get into trouble.)
(All the stakeholders must obey the law, and those who break the law will be punished by our law enforcers. Those who do illegal activities will be apprehended. You must obey the law so you don't get into trouble.)
Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte Second District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers appealed to the President to heed the call to ban POGOs.
Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte Second District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers appealed to the President to heed the call to ban POGOs.
“POGOs are banned in China, yet we continue to give them safe haven and sanctuary in our country. Worse, criminal syndicates only use these POGOs as fronts for their gruesome and illegal activities”, Barbers said in a statement.
“POGOs are banned in China, yet we continue to give them safe haven and sanctuary in our country. Worse, criminal syndicates only use these POGOs as fronts for their gruesome and illegal activities”, Barbers said in a statement.
“There is no redeeming value in POGOs. We should not waste a minute more in closing them, totally and completely. Like a gangrenous toe, we should cut it from our body before it kills us. Let us not allow our gains as a free republic to be destroyed by an alien culture of crime and gambling. If we love our country, we should break free from the bondage that is POGO”, he said.
“There is no redeeming value in POGOs. We should not waste a minute more in closing them, totally and completely. Like a gangrenous toe, we should cut it from our body before it kills us. Let us not allow our gains as a free republic to be destroyed by an alien culture of crime and gambling. If we love our country, we should break free from the bondage that is POGO”, he said.
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