Hontiveros: Some gov’t execs teaching Pogos to mask activities

FILE PHOTO: Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality, during a hearing on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. – Hontiveros bared that some government officials are allegedly coaching illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) to conceal their activities as business process outsourcing (BPO) firms. According to Hontiveros, doing so would enable the illegal Pogos to continue their enterprises despite the ban order of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. “The information we got is that there are government officials who even advise them to – ‘Ah, just change your form,’ at least legally as simple BPOs, but hidden inside it are Pogo operations,” Hontiveros said in a mix of Filipino and English during the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Photo from Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros bared that some government officials are allegedly coaching illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) to conceal their activities as business process outsourcing (BPO) firms.

According to Hontiveros, doing so would enable the illegal Pogos to continue their enterprises despite the ban order of President Bongbong Marcos Jr.

“The information we got is that there are government officials who even advise them to – ‘Ah, just change your form,’ at least legally as simple BPOs, but hidden inside it are Pogo operations,” Hontiveros said in a mix of Filipino and English during Thursday’s Kapihan sa Senado forum.

READ: Hontiveros warns vs emerging guerrilla scam operations

However, the lady senator, who leads the Senate probe into the proliferation of Pogos, could not give names of the allegedly involved government officials, noting that the confidential tip that her office received did not include such specifics.

“No names were given to us. Just that phenomenon – that it’s happening,” she said when asked if her panel would invite the concerned government officials.

“I am publicizing it now to serve as warning, if that’s true. They know who they are. They must stop,” she also said.

READ: DILG: Some Pogos using ‘disguises’ to thwart ban

Hontiveros likewise said that if reports of these government officials coaching Pogos are proven, they must be held accountable.

“And if the regulators and members of the executive who are mandated to implement the law are the very ones violating the Pogo ban announced last Sona (State of the Nation Address) and the Executive Order issued and, in principle, the law against Pogo that plan to make, their accountability is heavier,” she emphasized.

During his third Sona last July, President Marcos ordered the ban on all Pogos and the subsequent winding down and end to their ventures by end-2024 which the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. should spearhead.