Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte (PPAB)

Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte said the recent announcement of a total ban of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) will eventually lead to more foreign investments in the Philippines.

In an ambush interview after the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday afternoon, July 22, Villafuerte said the country’s image to investors will significantly improve following the expulsion of POGOs out of the country.

“Maganda po ‘yan dahil sa tingin ko mas dadami investors sa atin dahil sa kaniyang desisyon (That's good because I think there will be more investors here because of his decision),” he said, referring to the declaration of President Marcos.

Villafuerte, the National Unity Party (NUP) president, stressed that Marcos’ move to ban POGOs was certainly “good news”.

This comes after much clamor from numerous lawmakers to ban these gambling hubs. Earlier raids in such areas have led to links to criminal activities, such as kidnapping, torture, and prostitution.

“Surprised kami lahat na naging decisive ang ating Pangulo na mag-decide na i-ban na ‘yan. Magandang desisyon. Ang sabi niya, ang tama, tama. Ang mali, mali,” noted Villafuerte.

(We were all surprised that our President was decisive in deciding in favor of a ban. Good decision. He said, what is right, is right. What is wrong, is wrong.)

He underscored that the income generated by POGOs was minimal compared to its social economic cost to the country.

“Ang desisyon diyan napakita na ang kita naman hindi ganoon kalaki compared sa nasisira na kabataan, sa image ng bansa,” the congressman shared.

(The decision shows that the income is not that big compared to the damage it has on the youth and to the image of the country.)

According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), some 40,000 Filipino workers are expected to be displaced following the ban on POGOs.

With this, Villafuerte said the government may utilize business process outsourcing (BPO) companies to employ those who will lose their jobs.