Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin admitted that she’s had a change of heart against Philippine Overseas Gaming Operations (POGOs).
Garin, a staunch advocate for the abolition of POGOs, issued a statement last Friday, Sept. 16, explaining that POGOs were a factor in driving away foreign investors in the Philippines.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/16/crime-magnet-solon-wants-pogos-banned-for-driving-away-investors/
During an Ugnayan sa Batasan Majority Bloc press conference, the Deputy Majority Leader admitted that she was formerly a supporter of the POGO industry.
“Dati (Before), I was supportive of it because it was really providing opportunities, job generation sa Pilpinas (in the Philippines). Pero syempre, yung mga nagsusugal doon ay di mga Filipino (But of course, the ones gambling here aren’t Filipinos), these are Chinese sa online na nga lang (gambling online),” Garin told reporters at the press conference on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
“Galit na galit din yung bansa nila so pinapabayaan nila. At nagiging masama yung actions or pag-uugali ng kanilang mga kababayan (China is very angry at the industry but they leave them alone. Meanwhile, the actions and behavior of their citizens get worse), but they are actually residing. Bottom line is this: the Chinese government is really very angry at POGO operations because they feel that POGOs are like a virus inflicting wrong moral values among their citizens,” she continued.
Garin then explained her disdain for the POGO industry and cited the industry as a driving force of moral decay, crime, and impunity.
“Parang natamaan na yung values ng mga nandoon. Pumasok din yung mga illegal operators (Our values have been affected. Illegal operators have also proliferated),” she said.
“For the major interest of our country, for the peace and order...there is no room for impunity in our country especially if this is done by foreigners...What we see in videos being passed ay merong (is that they have) high-powered firearms. Yung mga security nila ang mga dala at bitbit ay hindi sang-ayon sa legal (Their security are carrying illegal weapons). This is an extreme display of immunity,” Garin explained.
When asked if she was in favor for strict regulation of downright abolition of the industry, she said this:
“I personally favor its abolition kasi natatamaan na rin yung values ng mga tao,” the doctor-solon concluded.