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To set the record straight once and for all, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) Chairman Alejandro Tengco said President Marcos’ order to ban all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) covers the remaining legal POGOs in the country—now labeled Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs).

“Maliwanag po ang utos ng Pangulo (The President's order is clear): 'I am instructing Pagcor to wind down the operations of all POGOs,'” said Tengco, quoting the President.

“Hindi ko po mawi-wind down ‘yung mga ilegal dahil wala na po sa jurisdiction ko ‘yun. Pero ‘yung mga nasa jurisdiction kong 43 (IGLs), maliwanag po ‘yun na kailangan ko pong i-wind down na po ‘yun,” he added.

(I can't wind down the illegal companies because they are no longer in my jurisdiction. But the ones in my jurisdiction, the 43 IGLs, it's clear that I have to wind them down.)

The Pagcor chief issued this clarification during a joint hearing by the House Committees on Public Order and Safety and on Games and Amusement on Tuesday, July 23, 

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro sought Tengco’s explanation on the POGO ban as she expressed concern that the ambiguity in the Marcos directive may lead to some loopholes in its enforcement.

“Kailangan ma-distinguish natin at ma-clarify ‘yung sinasabi ni Presidente na POGO kasi baka hindi rin naabot sa kaalaman niya na pinalitan na natin ito ng IGL,” noted Castro.

(We need to distinguish and clarify what the President has said about POGO because he might not even be aware that we have changed it to IGL.)

As Tengco detailed to the members of the joint panel, the main difference between POGOs and IGLs is merely semantics.

After he assumed office last year, the Pagcor chief said he led the enforcement of stricter regulations on POGOs, which included the renaming to IGLs.

“Pinalitan namin yung struktura, pinalitan po namin ‘yung mga guidelines, pinalitan na rin namin yung pangalan kasi may stigma po,” he stressed.

(We have changed the structure, we have changed the guidelines, we have also changed the name because there is a stigma.)

Recent raids on POGO hubs show that there is an explicit connection between the gambling companies to illegal activities such as prostitution, torture, and murder.

Castro would point out that the term IGL was made by Pagcor in a bid to improve the dire image of POGOs, “but they are the same”. 

Tengco was quick to assert that there was a “big difference” between the two because of the updated guidelines and structure under his leadership.

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“From 298 (licensees) po naging 43 na lamang dahil hindi na po nag-qualify ‘yung mga dating mga may lisensya po na POGO,” he shared.

(From 298 licensees, it became only 43 because the former POGO license holders no longer qualify.)

But after being pressed by the Makabayan bloc lawmaker, Tengco conceded that POGOs and IGLs were the same.

“Kaya ‘pag nagrekomenda kayo kay Presidente paikilinaw natin. Baka ‘yung sinasabi niyo kasi na POGO iba-ban pero dahil binago niyo nga ‘yung guidelines ‘yung IGL will remain,” emphasized Castro.

(So when you recommend to the President make sure to clarify. It could be that you are only saying that POGO is different, but because you have changed the guidelines, the IGL will remain.)