Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said on Saturday, Nov. 11 that he sees no socially redeeming value in importing gambling activities, particularly  Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

He made the statement following the recent inspection conducted by Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian in the POGO hub Smart Web Technology in Pasay City, which was recently raided. The raid resulted in the rescue of trafficking victims. 

In a radio interview on DWIZ, Pimentel said that banning POGOs although it is an option, no longer needs to go through the tedious process of creating a new law since the President can issue a policy stating they are no longer allowed.  

He added that if the Senate's position is to prohibit POGOs' operations in the country, it's something that the majority should raise to the President. 

Based on the previous Senate inquiries regarding POGOs, Pimentel said that its contribution to government revenue is around P3 billion. 

"Pagdating na lang confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) P10 billion na yan eh kung bawasan natin ng P3 billion diyan therefore we don't need the P3 billion from POGOs. Ganun kasimple lang yan (In the CIF it's P10 billion and if we take away P3 billion therefore we don't need it from POGOs. It's that simple)," he said.

He also explained that under the country's labor policy, jobs are only open to Filipinos unless there is a need for a specialized skill, which then opens the avenue for foreigners.

"Ano ginagawa natin sa POGO? Taga-tawag, taga- scam, taga-loko, ganun? Nag-import pa tayo. Ang masakit nito napapansin ko pati mga fellow ASEAN yata natin na bansa may mga nationals na sila dito na nagtratabaho sa POGO...kung magawa sila ng krimen issue na naman natin doon sa ating mga kasama sa ASEAN (What are we doing with POGOs? They call, scam, or dupe people, is that it? What's bad about this is even our fellow ASEAN member countries, their citizens work for POGOs...if they commit crimes it's another issue with our ASEAN colleagues)," he said.

"Yan po ang nangyayari. So wala akong nakikitang socially redeeming value bakit mag-import pa tayo ng gambling activity. Di ko naiintindihan eh (That's whats happening. I don't see any socially redeeming value why we should import gambling activities. I don't understand it)," he added.