Hontiveros: PAGCOR’s newspaper ads about POGOs ‘concerning’

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday expressed concern over full-page newspaper advertisements regarding Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) which appeared on the heels of the recent approval of the industry's partial resumption of operations despite the COVID-19 situation.

"This full-page ad on POGOs appeared on the Manila Times and Philippine Star today. Is PAGCOR doing PR work for POGO now? PAGCOR is a regulatory body. Why is it lobbying for the POGO industry?" Hontiveros said in a statement.

"Nakakabahala na mukhang may intent to dismiss the investigations the Senate has done with regard to POGOs' links to prostitution, human trafficking, and money laundering!" she added.

Moreover, she said, the money paid for the ads could have been used for COVID-19 response instead.

Attached in the senator's statement is an image of the supposed ad, which includes  the letterhead of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). It was titled "The Truth About POGO: A Primer."

Last week, the PAGCOR announced that POGO firms will be allowed to partially operate with 30% workforce amid the health crisis.

PAGCOR chief Andrea Domingo likened POGOs to business process outsourcing (BPO) companies.

"'Yung POGO parang BPO 'yan. Ang kliyente nila o mga manlalaro, nasa ibang bansa. Walang face-to-face," she said.

On the other hand, the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines said that as far as the information technology-business process management is concerned, POGOs can't be considered as BPOs.

The Palace maintained on Monday that POGOs are a form of BPOs. — BM, GMA News