Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (left), former president Rodrigo Duterte (Facebook, Malacañang photo)

Former president Rodrigo Duterte's issuance of an executive order (EO) that led to the proliferation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) was "ill-advised". 

Thus, said Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile on Wednesday, July 31 in a chance interview with House reporters. 

The Palace directive in question was EO No,13, which was issued by Duterte on Feb. 2, 2017. 

"It was ill-advised. They did not study it wel," Enrile, a former Senate President, said. 

He said that before the offshore gaming industry was adopted by the Philippines, it had already been outlawed by several countries in Asia. 

Duterte's EO No.13 specifically allowed the industry to exist outside of ecozones, causing them to grow in number.

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"My God, POGO was banned by Cambodia, banned by many countries in Central Asia, and we adopted it here. And why is it that until now you have focus in Bamban and Porac and without Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) being able to control them? Is that a wise decision? Wise activity?" asked the 100-year-old Enrile. 

Bamban in Tarlac and Porac in Pampanga are locations in the country where there is alleged illegal POGO activities. 

Enrile went to the House of Representatives in Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City on Wednesday to attend a joint panel investigation on illegal POGOs.

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