DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla (left), Speaker Martin Romualdez (Facebook)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez has welcomed Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s vow to comply with President Marcos' directive for a total ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). 

Remulla recently vowed to exert all efforts to enforce the presidential ban on POGOs by the end of the year without compromising human rights, existing laws, or international comity. 

“We at the House of Representatives welcome this statement from our Justice Secretary, who is also a former chamber member. Kaisa po kami ng DOJ sa implementation ng total ban ng ating Pangulo sa POGOs na ito,” Romualdez said in a statement Tuesday, Aug. 6. 

(We are one with the DOJ in implementing our President’s total ban on  POGOs.) 

Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district representative, earlier ordered the House to prioritize the passage of anti-POGO bills following the President's declaration during his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July. 

READ THIS TOO: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/5/pbbm-serious-in-closing-down-pog-os-that-proliferated-under-duterte-romualdez 

Romualdez said a whole-of-government approach can help put a stop to the industry's operations. 

“We share the same commitment here in the legislature. Nakita natin ang lahat ng social costs na dala ng mga POGOs na ito (We've seen all the social costs that come with these POGOs), and we are also determined to end this menace once and for all, as ordered by no less than our President,” he added. 

POGOs proliferated during the previous Duterte administration.   

The main reason for the current government's disenchantment with POGOs are the various criminal activities that the operators have been linked to. These have included syndicated crimes.