Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, co-chair of the House Quad Committee, on Thursday called out corrupt government officials for allowing illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to continue operating despite clear orders from President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to shut them down.
In his opening statement during the continuation of the House Quad Committee hearings, Fernandez said that many officials are blinded by the lure of money, prioritizing personal gain over their duty by protecting these illegal operations.
“Iba talaga ang kinang ng salapi sa mata ng ating mga nasa gobyerno at nagpapatupad ng mga batas,” said Fernandez, who also chairs the House Committee on Public Order and Safety.
He lamented that despite the President’s order to stop illegal POGOs, they continue to operate in places like Cebu, Cavite and Cagayan because some officials are allegedly more focused on the money they receive than on fulfilling their duty.
“Hukayin po natin ang ugat ng lahat ng ito, at saan sila kumukuha ng lakas ng loob upang ipagpatuloy ang mga illegal na operasyong ito,” he declared.
Fernandez also raised concerns about allegations that high-ranking officials, including a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, have taken bribes from POGO operators.
“Totoo ba ‘to? Is this the reason why operations in conducting on the stoppage of the illegal POGOs in the whole country are not being implemented or they are just stories that need no attention for discussion?” he asked.
Fernandez expressed his dismay at the scale of illegal POGO operations and the apparent financial backing they enjoy.
“Bilyon-bilyon ang operasyon ng POGO—from the construction of big facilities, buying of lands by certain Chinese corporations, and the financial transactions through bank exchanges of large amounts of money. Kung iisipin mo, hindi lang talaga online gambling and scams ang involved dito but the money being laundered in these operations is so blatant that it needs no deep explanation for an ordinary person to understand,” he explained.
“Pera ’to ng droga. Pera ’to na nanggaling sa Chinese operators na gustong linisin ang kanilang pera dito sa kanilang operasyon sa POGO,” he stressed.
In closing, Fernandez called on the public to assist in identifying and reporting illegal POGO operations in their communities.
“Sa ating mga kababayan, tulungan niyo po kami. Kung meron po kayong nalalaman sa patuloy na pag-ooperate ng illegal na POGO sa inyong lugar, buligligin po natin ang ating mga nanunungkulan at mga hepe ng kapulisan na kumilos sa kanilang mga nasasakupan. Without compliance, please report to the Quad Committee, and we will act accordingly.”
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