Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III told the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to follow President Marcos' directive on banning Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) amid concerns that they were merely cloaked under the new name, Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs).

"Reminder na lang sa Pagcor: sundin to the letter yung utos ni President Marcos sa kanila (Just a reminder to Pagcor: Follow to the letter President Marcos' instruction to them)," he said in a radio interview over DWIZ on Saturday, July 27.

"Kasi may nararamdaman kaming minumuddle ang issue dahil binago ang pangalan IGL...Huwag tayong maggaganyan dahil magagalit kami sa inyo at iimbestigahan namin kayo nang todo-todo baka pati iyang presidential decree na gumawa sa inyo ipa-repeal na lang ng Senado yan (We felt that the issue was being muddled because they changed the name to IGL...Do not do that because we will get mad at you and will investigate you thoroughly and the Senate might even repeal the presidential decree that created Pagcor) if you will counterman, if you not follow the instruction of your principal, the President just because magtatago kayo sa bagong initial (you are hiding under a new initial)," he added.

The senator also mentioned that it's clear what the President was referring to when he mentioned the total ban on POGOs, which deals with online gambling that involves citizens from neighboring countries where it is illegal.

He reiterated that POGOs are bad for foreign relations since it is a bad practice for a country to host something illegal in a neighboring country.

Pimentel added that POGOs destroy labor policies by allowing foreigners to work in the Philippines unless it's "absolutely necessary". He also stated that tax revenues were not being collected and the deterioration of law and order.

"Run after POGO, so you will be pogi (handsome)," Pimentel quipped.

President Marcos declared in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 22 the total ban on POGOs.