Bersamin: Malacañang has not yet made a stand on the POGO issue
Malacanang has not yet made s stand on the controversial Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) issue, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin said today, Wednesday, October 12.
Bersamin gave this answer to Senator Juan Edgardo ‘’Sonny’’ M. Angara at end the of the latter’s public hearing on the proposed 2023 P8.969 billion budget of the Office of the President.
‘’We have not yet decided on that, Mr. Chairman,’’ Bersamin told Angara when asked what is the stand Malacanang on the multi-billion-peso POGO operations that has triggered kidnappings, extortion, murder and other modes of acts of violence, with most PGO workers as victims.
Bersamin told Angara that ‘’they are talking about it.’’
‘’But your proceedings (public hearings) are on going. Out of respect for your findings, we can not second guess,’’ he said.
‘’So may we will go in tandem with you once you come up with your findings but the feeling is ...there maybe ...we are appreciating the problem as you will appreciate it,’’ he added.
Angara thanked Bersamin for the respect Malacanang has accorded to the Senate.
He asked the question as another Senate committee was undertaking a public hearing on the POGO issue.