Chiz: Why allow PIGOs after ban on POGOs? | ABS-CBN
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Chiz: Why allow PIGOs after ban on POGOs?
Senate President Chiz Escudero answers questions from the media during a press conference at a restaurant in Quezon City on February 19, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
Senate President Chiz Escudero answers questions from the media during a press conference at a restaurant in Quezon City on February 19, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — Senate President Francis Escudero eyes a ban on Philippine Inland Gaming Operators following the government's ban of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.
MANILA — Senate President Francis Escudero eyes a ban on Philippine Inland Gaming Operators following the government's ban of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.
PIGOs are licenses to run online gambling for users in the Philippines while the banned POGOs catered to foerign users, like those in China, where gambling is illegal.
PIGOs are licenses to run online gambling for users in the Philippines while the banned POGOs catered to foerign users, like those in China, where gambling is illegal.
He said he could not understand why POGOs were banned but PIGOs have been allowed to operate.
He said he could not understand why POGOs were banned but PIGOs have been allowed to operate.
"Ang nawawalan at naubusan ng pera ay Pilipino, at hindi dayuhan. At malamang sa malamang, yung mga dating POGO ay nagtatago sa likod ng PIGO," he said.
"Ang nawawalan at naubusan ng pera ay Pilipino, at hindi dayuhan. At malamang sa malamang, yung mga dating POGO ay nagtatago sa likod ng PIGO," he said.
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(The people who lose money are Filipinos, not foreigners. And it is likely that the former POGOs are now operating as PIGOs)
(The people who lose money are Filipinos, not foreigners. And it is likely that the former POGOs are now operating as PIGOs)
Escudero last year said it would be better for government to lay down a policy banning gambling altogether since POGOs — banned because of incidents of abuse, human trafficking and scam operations at some centers — could easily change their business registrations.
Escudero last year said it would be better for government to lay down a policy banning gambling altogether since POGOs — banned because of incidents of abuse, human trafficking and scam operations at some centers — could easily change their business registrations.
"Marahil, dapat ay tingnan at reviewhin din ito, dahil yung mga sinusubukan natin iwasang masasamang bagay, pagkakamali, pagkukulang, ay tila nandyan din sa PIGO , na ang tatamaan pa ay sarili natin mismong mga kababayan at hindi mga dayuhan lamang," he said Thursday.
"Marahil, dapat ay tingnan at reviewhin din ito, dahil yung mga sinusubukan natin iwasang masasamang bagay, pagkakamali, pagkukulang, ay tila nandyan din sa PIGO , na ang tatamaan pa ay sarili natin mismong mga kababayan at hindi mga dayuhan lamang," he said Thursday.
(This should be reviewed because the ill effects and lapses are likely also in the PIGOs, and these are geared towards Filipinos and not just foreigners)
(This should be reviewed because the ill effects and lapses are likely also in the PIGOs, and these are geared towards Filipinos and not just foreigners)
He said he wants the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. or PAGCOR to review the licensing program even if it is a source of revenue.
He said he wants the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. or PAGCOR to review the licensing program even if it is a source of revenue.
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"Kung natalikuran nga nila yung malaking revenue at income din sa POGO, walang rason para hindi nila kayang talikuran din yung malaking income sa PIGO kung nakakasama na talaga ito sa ating mga kababayan," he said.
"Kung natalikuran nga nila yung malaking revenue at income din sa POGO, walang rason para hindi nila kayang talikuran din yung malaking income sa PIGO kung nakakasama na talaga ito sa ating mga kababayan," he said.
(If they could turn their back on the revenues from POGO, there is no reason they cannot do that for PIGOs if it is really harmful to Filipinos)
(If they could turn their back on the revenues from POGO, there is no reason they cannot do that for PIGOs if it is really harmful to Filipinos)
Escudero said he wants to gather data of how much revenue the government earns from PIGOs.
Escudero said he wants to gather data of how much revenue the government earns from PIGOs.
Meanwhile, Escudero said a law banning POGOs is needed to make they cannot easily return under a new president.
Meanwhile, Escudero said a law banning POGOs is needed to make they cannot easily return under a new president.
"Ako, walang problemang ipasa yun. Wala namang karamihan problema (I don't have any issues with its passage. The majority has ns no problem with that) but it just has to go through the rigors of legislation. I don't think there's anyone in the Senate really strongly opposed to it."
"Ako, walang problemang ipasa yun. Wala namang karamihan problema (I don't have any issues with its passage. The majority has ns no problem with that) but it just has to go through the rigors of legislation. I don't think there's anyone in the Senate really strongly opposed to it."
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He said that authorities should work together in light of reports that there are still POGO dens being raided months after the ban took effect.
He said that authorities should work together in light of reports that there are still POGO dens being raided months after the ban took effect.
"Meron naman silang listahan ilan at sino-sino ba ang mga dayuhan na pinayagan nilang pumasok dito kaugnay ng POGO," he said.
"Meron naman silang listahan ilan at sino-sino ba ang mga dayuhan na pinayagan nilang pumasok dito kaugnay ng POGO," he said.
(The government has a list of how many and who were allowed to come in to put up POGOs)
(The government has a list of how many and who were allowed to come in to put up POGOs)
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