Hontiveros warns gov’t officials ‘coaching’ illegal Pogos

Senator Risa Hontiveros during the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

Some government officials have been “coaching” people behind the now-banned Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) on how to mask their continued operations, according to a senator who had led the inquiry into Pogos’ alleged ties to organized crime.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros raised this concern on Thursday, a day after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that certain Pogos had defied the ban by “disguising” themselves as restaurants and resorts.

READ: Palace issues EO in nationwide Pogo ban

‘Phenomenon’

“Pogos are still operating, and they are getting more creative. They are [finding] ways to change or conceal their identity. Others were pretending to be legal BPO (business process outsourcing) firms. We received reports that some government officials were the ones giving them such advice,” Hontiveros said during the Kapihan sa Senado forum.

“Those are the reports we have been getting—government officials coaching them to change their form, at least legally, and register as BPOs. But behind these ‘BPOs’ are continuing Pogo operations,” she added.

Asked if these government officials would be summoned by her committee in connection with its probe of Pogos, Hontiveros said “no names were given to us. It’s just the phenomenon; that it’s happening.”

“But since we publicized it already, let this serve as a warning: If that is true, you know who you are. They should stop it,” Hontiveros added.

READ: House panel OKs bill banning Pogos, imposing strict penalties

Consulting lawyers

But she said she would consult lawyers on her staff on the possible actions that can be taken.

“I’ll ask, is it obstruction of justice? Whatever it is, definitely there are accountabilities. And if the regulators and members of the executive who are mandated to implement the law are the very ones violating the Pogo ban … their accountability is heavier,” Hontiveros stressed.

She reminded local governments that they may also be held liable if they fail to detect illegal Pogo operations in their areas or are found to be “providing (them) legal cover.”