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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. , July 12, 2024. Yummie Dingding, PPA pool

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MARCOS-PROJECTS

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dii" style="width:1308px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/172129412292720240712-marcos-ngcp-bataan-PPA-18.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" alt="President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. , July 12, 2024. Yummie Dingding, PPA pool"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. , July 12, 2024. <em>Yummie Dingding, PPA pool</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA – What is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s policy direction on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations?</p><p>Some lawmakers want to hear this question answered during the President’s third State of the Nation Address on Monday, amid calls to ban the industry following a spate of crimes linked to illegal POGOs.</p><p>“S&#x27;yempre aabangan din ‘yan, hindi lang ng mga tao, pero kami sa legislative, kung ano ang magiging guidance. Susunod lang naman kung ano ang guidance ng Pangulo. Kung sabihin ng Pangulo, i-terminate na ‘yan, PAGCOR will have the power to do that. Nakaabang naman ang Congress and Senate,” House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo said.<br/><br/>“I would really like to hear from the President if he really is pro or if he is against... Nakita natin during the committee hearing kahapon… ang mga illegal POGO operations, paano sila gumagawa ng karumal-dumal na krimen within their hub. Gusto natin din malaman kung ano ang direksyon ng ating Presidente pagdating doon sa pag-curb, at to run after these illegal POGO operators,” House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao Del Sur First District Rep. Zia Adiong added.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/17/simple-program-souvenirs-after-house-ready-for-marcos-3rd-sona-832">Simple program, souvenirs after: House ready for Marcos’ 3rd SONA</a></div><p>During Wednesday’s joint hearing of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety and the House Committee on Games and Amusements, video clips showing physical abuse and torture of alleged workers in raided POGO hubs were shown. Rescued POGO workers also narrated their ordeal.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/17/torture-videos-shown-during-live-streamed-house-hearing-into-pogo-crimes-1153">Torture videos shown during live-streamed House hearing into POGO crimes</a></div><p>The Department of Justice said banning the industry in the country will help efforts to crackdown on illegal activities being linked to POGOs. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation said they will support the decision of the President and Congress on the matter. But PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco gave assurances that PAGCOR was implementing stricter measures to allow only legitimate POGOs to operate.</p><p>“Bini-briefing naman ni PAGCOR Chair Al Tengco si Pangulo, ‘yung pros and cons niya. Medyo malaki rin ang mawawala, billions din. Because POGOs, they are weighing taxes din. Aside from taxes sa BIR, nagbabayad din sila… sa licenses every year. So, wine-weigh din,” Tulfo told the media on Thursday.</p><p>“Ang problema kasi natin ‘yung illegal na POGOs, they are so many. ‘Yun siguro talaga ang habulin,” he added.</p><p>PAGCOR earned P5.17 billion from licensed POGOs last year. It expects to earn P7 billion from the sector this year.</p><div><strong>INFLATION, WAGES, WPS</strong></div><p>Lawmakers said they also wanted the President&#x27;s SONA to tackle plans to address the high prices of basic commodities, while minimum wages remain low.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/7/16/p20-kilo-rice-marcos-promise-weighed-vs-inflation-as-sona-nears-1527"><strong>P20 kilo rice? Marcos promise weighed vs inflation as SONA nears</strong></a></div><p>“Gusto natin marinig ‘yung progress ng ating Presidente pagdating doon sa kanya policy na gusto niya before the end of his term, make sure that no Filipino family will go hungry. ‘Yung pagbababa ng basic commodities, especially ‘yung bigas natin,” Adiong said.</p><p>&quot;Aminado naman ang Congress, ang gobyerno na we have problems sa inflation, ‘yung mga pagtaas sa presyo ng bilihin, naiwan ang sweldo ng tao, hindi umangat. May issue sa West Philippine Sea. Ang inaabangan ng mga kababayan natin, ano ang mga sasabihin ng Pangulo? What are the solutions?” Tulfo added.</p><p>He said bills seeking an across-the-board legislated wage hike ranging from P150 to P750 would be tackled when Congress resumes session.</p><p>“It was the Speaker who suggested na gawing P150 ‘yung ifa-file sa Congress. Before nag-break, the Speaker was talking to some house leadership regarding this matter… I will inform the Speaker siguro i-prioritize itong P150 na salary increase… Kailangan gumalaw na rin. Pero siguro we still have to think about it. Sabi nga ng NEDA, baka maraming magsarang kumpanya kung ipipilit natin ‘yung P150,” Tulfo said.</p><p>Congressmen are also eager to hear the President’s directives in addressing the increasing tension in the West Philippine Sea.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/17/ph-china-expand-crisis-hotline-to-manage-maritime-dispute-2013">PH, China expand crisis hotline to manage maritime dispute</a></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/17/maritime-zones-bill-closer-to-becoming-law-with-bicam-approval-1422">Maritime Zones bill closer to becoming law with bicam approval</a></div>

<p>What is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s policy direction on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations? Some lawmakers want to hear this question answered during the President’s third State of the Nation Address. </p>

What is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s policy direction on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations? Some lawmakers want to hear this question answered during the President’s third State of the Nation Address.

Lawmakers want to hear Marcos direction on POGOs, inflation, WPS in 2024 SONA

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Lawmakers want to hear Marcos direction on POGOs, inflation, WPS in 2024 SONA

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 18, 2024 05:25 PM PHT

Read More:

House of Representatives

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

POGO

West Philippine Sea

inflation

Station of the Nation Address

2020 SONA

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