WITH the illegal activities surrounding Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators , Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said senators’ call to ban the operations for its alleged threat to national security is within their rights.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/06/05/senate-tri-committee-probing-illegal-pogo-linked-crime-and-mayor-alice-guos-case-now-in-executive-session/“There is some truth to that,” Recto said of the economic losses brought by Pogos. His predecessor, Benjamin Diokno, had once conceded there is a “reputational risk” to the country from the serious, organized crimes associated with Pogo activities.
The probe also includes the case of the suspended Alice Guo, the mayor of Bamban province in Tarlac, who facilitated the investments and businesses in the 38-building Pogo hub in the town of Bamban. Pagcor was earlierblamed by Guo’s lawyer for allowing Pogo operations in Bamban, but the gaming regulator issued a strongly worded rebuttal saying it s the mayor’s office that gives business licenses, and should not blame it for the current legal woes surrounding her.