House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Facebook)

Speaker Martin Romualdez has expressed openness to the existence of highly-controversial Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country. 

For as long as they follow local laws to the letter, that is.

“For me, what’s important is that all our (POGO) stakeholders must follow the rule of law," Romualdez told reporters on the sidelines of Independence Day celebrations Wednesday, June 12 at Barasoain Church in Bulacan. 

"And for those who will violate our laws, then I must say you’ll be sorry because our law enforcers will definitely be going after you. We will implement our law to the fullest,” warned the House leader. 

“That is why if they (Chinese working in POGO outlets) are doing everything illegal, then they will really be arrested. But if they will just be law-abiders, then I don’t think we will have any problems,” underscored the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president. 

READ THIS: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/11/romualdez-issues-clear-cut-stance-on-erring-pog-os 

Romualdez, a lawyer by profession, says outlawing POGOs is not necessarily the only solution to problems besetting the gaming industry. 

But he also didn't rule out the banning of POGOs if and when all issues have already been thoroughly discussed and studied.

“We're open to hearing all issues concerning the POGO,” he said.

“We have a process for that (banning POGOs), we have to go through that process where hearings will be held and we have to hear the concerns of all our stakeholders, what is their position. And from there, we will be weighing our options on what to do best with them,” the Speaker added.