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Members of the Makabayan bloc reiterated their call for the total ban of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs), as they expressed fear that the country could soon turn into a “nation of gamblers”.

During a recent press conference in the House of Representatives, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro urged the government for an outright ban to prevent Filipinos from getting hooked on gambling instead of working and doing something productive.

“Tayo na ay magiging bayan ng mga sugarol sa ating bansa kung hindi pa rin natin iba-ban itong POGO,” she said.

(We will become a nation of gamblers in our country if we do not ban POGO.)

Castro issued this response to a statement from House Speaker Martin Romualdez where he said a total ban on POGOs would only lead to these operators moving underground.

With this, the government would not be able to monitor or even tax these companies.

Instead of a ban, Romualdez said he is pushing for stricter regulation.

Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas says she strongly disagrees with the Speaker’s position, noting that the social costs of POGOs have outweighed their supposed benefits.

“Sa tingin po namin, ang posisyon na ito hindi yun nakasasapat. We really should ban POGOs,” added Brosas.

(We think that this position is not enough. We really should ban POGOs.)

She pointed out that the government must not rely on these gambling companies to employ Filipinos.

“May sinasabi sila na maraming trabahong mawawala. Ang kailangan ng mga mamamayan natin ay mga disenteng trabaho na mayrong kahit papaano nakabubuhay na sahod. Hindi sa POGO nakaasa yung mga kailangan natin,” Brosas explained.

(They say that many jobs will be lost. What our citizens need are decent jobs with at least a livable wage. The things we need are not dependent on POGO.)

Castro, meanwhile, noted that the strict enforcement of regulations on POGOs has already been done. Yet there were still illegal POGO hubs that came to light with ties to criminal activities.

According to Castro, she has read a recent study that described the Philippines as the biggest country for gambling, which she says is a huge shame.

With all its social costs, Brosas sees no other recourse but to outlaw POGOs.

“Hindi namin makita yung sense para ipagpatuloy pa ito. Kaya ang posisyon ng Makabayan kaugnay dito ay hindi payagan ito sa ating bansa,” she said.

(We don't see the sense to continue this. So the position of Makabayan about this is not to allow this in our country.)

The Makabayan bloc recently filed House Bill (HB) No. 10525, which sought to declare a total ban of POGOs in the country.