By Genalyn Kabiling President Duterte is not convinced about the allegations of money laundering being linked to the booming offshore gaming operations in the country. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/ MANILA BULLETIN) The President revealed Monday that the government has obtained a list of bank deposits that showed no proof of money laundering activities related to the Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). Duterte made the statement while defending his decision to allow POGOs to operate the country due to the huge revenue collection. The offshore gaming industry generates P2 billion in revenues every month, he said. "We are not justifying it. We are just saying it is allowed because we need the funds, but sa speculation ng mga senador na ginagamit na laundering, mayroon kami, we have a listing of itong mga deposito nila. There is a report of money laundering, pero doon sa bangko mismo wala (but as for the speculations of the senators that it is used for money laundering, we have a listing of the deposits. There is a report of money laundering, but the banks themselves have none)," he said in a press conference at the Palace. "If sabihin mo 'yung money laundering, hindi nakita ng regulators...Binigyan kami ng copy. Hindi totoo (If you alleged money laundering, the regulators did not see any... We have been given a copy. It's not true)," he added. Duterte explained that financial transactions seem to be part of the regular gaming business. "Money laundering? Ano ba 'yung ibayad mo (What do you pay with)? You are engaged in the business, you deposit money, you withdraw money. Tumatakbo 'yan (That's running). May nanalo, may natalo. Kailangan nila ng pera ng magbayad (Someone won, someone lost. They need money to pay)," he said. "If they want payment to emanate from the Philippines, there’s nothing that we can do," he added. Even as he refused to suspend or shut down POGOs, the President assured the public that he won't tolerate any corruption in the offshore gaming industry. "I assure that every centavo na kikitain sa mga (earned from) gaming supervised by PAGCOR are accounted for. Walang (There is no) corruption diyan at hindi ako papayag (there and I will not permit it)," he said. Duterte also explained that the government cannot prevent Chinese from entering the country, including those working in offshore gaming companies. "We cannot bar Chinese nationals from entering the country because they allow us to enter China also and even work in Hong Kong," he said. For now, he said there was "no legal impediment" to POGO operations in the country. But he left to lawmakers whether or not to pass a law supervising POGOs in the country. "There is a compelling reason kung walang iba (if there isn't anything else), and there is no legal impediment. If they can pass a law about POGOs, fine go ahead. Supervise it by law, hindi kami (not us)," he said. Senators have reportedly agreed to pursue a measure that will declare offshore gaming operations illegal in the country. The latest move came amid reports of alleged POGO-related money laundering, tax evasion, corruption, sex trafficking, and other illegal activities. The Senate blue ribbon committee recent initiated an inquiry into the alleged influx of 'dirty money' brought in by Chinese nationals to the country. Sen. Richard Gordon earlier claimed the country’s anti-money laundering officials should resign or be fired for their supposed failure to stop the alleged money laundering activities.