Duterte allows POGO to continue
Published Sep 04, 2019 21:53 pm
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Updated Sep 04, 2019 21:53 pm
By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte has decided to allow the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) to continue their operations jobs despite the resistance of Chinese President Xi Jinping to gambling involving Chinese nationals.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
(KING RODRIGUEZ / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Duterte stressed that the country “needs” the offshore gaming industry to prevent loss of jobs. “We decide to benefit the interest of my country. Maybe out of courtesy, I will listen to you (Xi) pero I decide. I decide that we need it,” Duterte said in a press conference in Malacañang Wednesday. “Maraming mawawalan ng hanapbuhay . Anyway, it’s government controlled,” he added. The Palace had earlier said Xi made an implied request to stop online gaming in the country during a recent meeting with President Duterte in China. Beijing, which prohibits gambling among its nationals, had earlier blamed offshore gaming operations for rampant money laundering and social ills in China. At the time, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President will most likely study China's proposal. “He (Xi) expressed appreciation for what we did in suspending new applicants but he said they will appreciate more if POGO will be eliminated or stopped,” Panelo said after Duterte-Xi bilateral talks in Beijing. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) recently announced it has suspended the acceptance of new offshore gaming firms following the concerns raised by China about the gambling hubs that illegally employ its nationals. The President, meanwhile, threatened to shut down the operations of gaming concessionaires if they fail to remit the appropriate revenues to the government. He said he would go to the operator's house to personally warn them against depriving the government of its rightful share of revenues. Duterte had earlier suspended Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) gaming operations due to allegations of massive corruption. The ban was eventually lifted but only on lotto. He later authorized the lifting of the suspension of small town lottery operations but imposed certain conditions to curb corruption and other irregularities. “Bantay kayo mga concessionaires. Pag nagkamali kayo, hindi kayo nag-remit, isang non-remittance lang, you better close tapos mag-usap tayo. Puntahan kita sa bahay mo, doon tayo mag-usap tayo. Maski sino gambling lord, wala akong pakialam kung sino ka ,” he said. “Pupuntahan kita at sabihin ko, 'Di ba sinabi ko na p
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte(KING RODRIGUEZ / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Duterte stressed that the country “needs” the offshore gaming industry to prevent loss of jobs. “We decide to benefit the interest of my country. Maybe out of courtesy, I will listen to you (Xi) pero I decide. I decide that we need it,” Duterte said in a press conference in Malacañang Wednesday. “Maraming mawawalan ng hanapbuhay . Anyway, it’s government controlled,” he added. The Palace had earlier said Xi made an implied request to stop online gaming in the country during a recent meeting with President Duterte in China. Beijing, which prohibits gambling among its nationals, had earlier blamed offshore gaming operations for rampant money laundering and social ills in China. At the time, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President will most likely study China's proposal. “He (Xi) expressed appreciation for what we did in suspending new applicants but he said they will appreciate more if POGO will be eliminated or stopped,” Panelo said after Duterte-Xi bilateral talks in Beijing. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) recently announced it has suspended the acceptance of new offshore gaming firms following the concerns raised by China about the gambling hubs that illegally employ its nationals. The President, meanwhile, threatened to shut down the operations of gaming concessionaires if they fail to remit the appropriate revenues to the government. He said he would go to the operator's house to personally warn them against depriving the government of its rightful share of revenues. Duterte had earlier suspended Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) gaming operations due to allegations of massive corruption. The ban was eventually lifted but only on lotto. He later authorized the lifting of the suspension of small town lottery operations but imposed certain conditions to curb corruption and other irregularities. “Bantay kayo mga concessionaires. Pag nagkamali kayo, hindi kayo nag-remit, isang non-remittance lang, you better close tapos mag-usap tayo. Puntahan kita sa bahay mo, doon tayo mag-usap tayo. Maski sino gambling lord, wala akong pakialam kung sino ka ,” he said. “Pupuntahan kita at sabihin ko, 'Di ba sinabi ko na p
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* huwag ninyo lokohin ang gobyerno. Kaya ko pinagbigyan dahil inaalala ko ang Pilipino at makakain ,” he said. Duterte, despite his personal opposition to gambling, said he cannot stop such activity since many people need food and jobs. “Wala kasing masyadong trabaho, ... maraming nagugutom ,” he said. He said if the country becomes progressive and has lots of jobs, the nation would not need the "stupid thing activity allowing gambling." "But at this time, wala talaga ako magawa. Maraming nagugutom. Huwag ninyo lang lokohin ang gobyerno ,” he said.