By Genalyn Kabiling  President Duterte may suspend the controversial operations of offshore gaming companies depending on how "extensive” their alleged violations of the country’s laws are, according to a Palace official. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo raised the possibility after citing that the President previously suspended the government’s lottery operations over complaints of alleged irregularities last year. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) For now, Panelo said Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) are “under evaluation” by the government amid concerns about the alleged illegal activities related to these operations. “The goal is to weed out anything that is against the law,” he told reporters in the Palace on Wednesday about the review on the POGOs. “The President, if you remember, has suspended operations of lotteries when he received certain complaints. Ganun din 'yun kung talagang grabe na complaints (That will be the case if there will really be severe complaints),” he said when asked if the President may suspend or eventually ban POGOs. Last year, the President ordered the shutdown of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) gaming activities after uncovering the alleged massive corruption in the agency. An investigation was also immediately launched into the alleged grand conspiracy involving major players that supposedly rob the government of revenues. READ MORE: Duterte bares ‘grand conspiracy’ in suspending all PCSO-sanctioned gaming schemes Nearly a month later, the President authorized the lifting of the suspension of small town lottery (STL) operations provided certain conditions were met. READ MORE: President Duterte lifts suspension of Lotto operations effective immediately – Panelo Panelo, however, said it was prudent to wait for the President's final decision on POGOs amid an ongoing review of their operations. Asked if the suspension of POGOs is one of the President's options, Panelo said: "If you're talking about options, then everything is open on the table. Everything depends on the President. The President has discretion to do anything within the law." Panelo also confirmed the ongoing review of the controversial offshore gaming operations in the country. “The POGOs presently existing will be under evaluation given the fact that there are so many complaints of illegal practices,” he said. "Palaging consideration is pag masama, nagbibigay ka ng kasamaan dito sa bansa, ayaw ni Presidente 'yun (The main consideration is if it's bad, if you're spreading evil in the country, the President will oppose that," he said. On the reported illegal activities linked to the POGO operations, Panelo admitted that the Palace is “always concerned” about any illegality or corruption. He said the President does not tolerate corruption or "anything that is bad for the country." He recognized that the problem lies with the “people” running POGOs, and not the industry itself. “It’s not the POGO itself. It’s the people running it. Then, you change the people, not the system. You improve on the system. You prosecute those involved in the illegal activities,” he said. On some lawmakers' proposal to declare POGOs illegal, Panelo said they would wait for the Senate decision on the matter and then evaluate it. “The legislators are tasked to legislate what is good for the country. If they feel that it’s against the welfare of this country, then we will evaluate if that’s true or not but we will wait for them,” Panelo said. “If the legislators make it unlawful, that’s different story. Then we will have to wait for the President whether he agrees with it or not,” he said. He dispelled speculations that the country's friendship with China has affected the President's view on POGOs. He said the President has previously fired officials even if they were friends or allies. READ MORE: Palace: We have laws to address POGO kidnappings