Duterte: Casino, POGO ops needed to raise gov't money amid pandemic expenses

President Rodrigo Duterte has said he is in favor of increased operations of casinos and Philippine Offshore Gaming Corporations (POGO) to raise government funds.

"That (I am in favor of casinos, POGOs) is correct. That is true. I do not deny it," Duterte said during the taped PDP-Laban meeting aired Wednesday over state-run PTV-4.

"Pagdating ng pandemic, naubos pera natin. It might be repulsive, repellant, pero dusa na muna kayo, kailangan ko ng pera para sa bayan," he added.

Duterte, however, said these businesses should comply with the law.

"POGO...casino sa Boracay, Bohol...you must pay correct taxes," he said.

"Times are not really conducive to being a moralist now. We just have to be pragmatic. Kung ano lang talaga ang mapagkitaan kasi hirap tayo. (We take whatever we can in order to tide us amid the pandemic since we are having tough time)," Duterte added.—AOL, GMA News