Name ex-Cabinet official lobbying for POGO – senators

SENATE President Francis “Chuz” Escudero said it is high time to “spill the truth” and name the former Cabinet allegedly lobbying for the licensing of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Escudero said it is imperative that the official in the previous administration be named to clear the matter and prevent the innocent from being dragged into the POGO protection issue.

“So that not all former high ranking cabinet officials (in the past administration will be looked upon with suspicion,” Escudero insisted.

At the same time the Senate head urged Senator Risa Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, together with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian who authored the resolution to investigate POGO, to scrutinize the allegations raised by PAGCOR against this former cabinet official and find out if the person should be held liable under the law.

“Find out if he/she violated any laws,” Escudero said.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Koko Pimentel echoed Escudero’s statement saying the person in question must answer point by point the allegations against him or her.

“To be fair to all former Cabinet members, PAGCOR should reveal the identity of this person, also so that he or she can defend him or herself too,”Pimentel said.

Senator Hontiveros announced the next hearing of her committee will focus on the protection issue considering the harm POGOs pose to the country.

“We are calling a next hearing and I hope the PAGCOR chief deems it the right forum to reveal what he knows. Umaasa ako na si Chair Tengco mismo ang dadating sa susunod na pagdinig at hindi na ang mga kinatawan niya lang,” Hontiveros said.

“Whoever that ex-Cabinet officials turn out to be, the fact remains: “POGOs are being used as a legal cover for scam hubs. Napatunayan na ng imbestigasyon sa Senado na kahit pa ang may legal na lisensya mula mismo sa PAGCOR, may mga criminal activities pa rin na nangyayari sa POGO,” said Hontiveros adding both legal and illegal POGOs are exchanging notes and helping each other to expand their operations and coordinating well with each other to protect the criminal and illegal side of the business which she said is more scary and confusing.

“Kaya huwag ng pag-ibahin ng PAGCOR and illegal POGO sa legal na POGO. Ang buong industriya ay sanhi ng sangkatutak na krimeng nagpapahamak sa kababaihan, kabataan at pinaka bulnerable sa lipunan,” Hontiveros stressed.

Senator Joel Villanueva called on PAGCOR to name the former official, as he said: “Pangalanan na ‘yan! Wala naman po tayo sa showbiz kaya hindi naman kailangan magpa-blind item. Kailangan pong malaman ng taumbayan ang katotohanan at panagutin ang mga nagtutulak sa bayan sa kumunoy ng kaguluhan.”

Villanueva further said that the revelation made by PAGCOR Chair Alejandro Tengco should be enough proof to permanently ban POGOs in the country.

“They have infiltrated not only the business and gaming industries but also our government, allegedly with local and even high-ranking officials serving as their protectors. Our duty as public servants is not to protect these illegal activities, but to put our people’s welfare as our main priority,” Villanueva said.