Pimentel sees more senators backing POGO reforms instead of total ban

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said Thursday he believes more senators would support policy reforms regarding Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) than seek a total ban.

"If the proposal is to ban, totally ban POGOs, wala nang legal or illegal POGOs kasi bawal na, I think, it will be a close fight in the Senate. There will be quite a few number na papabor and then quite a few number na mag-oppose," he said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

"But if the proposal will be to reform the current system, be stricter in monitoring them, be stricter in collecting the taxes due and also be stricter with the illegal aliens who are here under [the] cover of working for POGO kuno, then I think, we will get overwhelming support from the Senate," he added.

However, Pimentel said he supports a total ban on offshore gaming operations, citing “alarm signals.”

"Mayrong legal POGO, may illegal POGO. Ang crimes hindi na natin alam committed ba yan by aliens who are here because of legal POGOs or they are here because of illegal POGOs? Eh ang dami na rin nila so ibig sabihin nun the mere existence of legal POGOs has been used as a cover for the entry into our country of undesirable aliens and napapapasok po sila sa ating first line of defense. Sa borders natin nakakapasok because anong excuse? May POGO e," he said.

"Then, our second line of defense, ang ating kapulisan, ganon din. Kung may reklamo sa alien, hindi niya rin alam if working for a legal POGO or illegal POGO," he went on.

"So what's the way to best solve this problem? Simplify everything, simplify our lives, simplify our policy. Ban POGOs.”

On the deportation of around 40,000 POGO workers who may be staying in the Philippines illegally, Pimentel said the government should seek China’s assistance.

"Ngayon, 'yung problema ng mga ito, dahil sa pagbalik nila sa homeland nila may kaso sila, pinapasa ngayon sa atin na dito na sila. Dito na lang daw sila kasi hindi sila makabalik sa bansa nila. I think that is not an acceptable reason for us either to continue POGO or number two, to shoulder now the problem and the expense of sustaining illegal aliens in our country who are no longer welcome back in their homeland," Pimentel said.

"We have to ask China to help us send their countrymen back to their homeland by not scaring them away from their homeland na 'You are not welcome here. May kaso kayo rito. Stay in place kung saan man kayo,'" he went on.

On Tuesday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said he would meet with the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines regarding the deportation of workers of POGOs that are not licensed.

The Justice chief on Wednesday said the government was ready to deport around 280 illegal POGO employees.

Earlier, several senators expressed concern about the social costs of offshore gaming operations in the country.

The Senate ways and means committee will hold a hearing to measure the economic benefits and social cost of POGO in the country.

A resolution had already been filed in the Senate seeking an overall evaluation of POGOs’ social costs and economic gains.

Last week, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said he was in favor of discontinuing POGOs because of social cost.

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who led the Senate probe into the series of alleged kidnappings in the country, previously suggested that banning POGOs would help deter crimes. — VBL, GMA News