Anti-POGO bill hurdles Senate

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Senate on Monday, June 10, passed on third and final reading a bill banning Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Depending on the offense, violators may be fined P300,000 to P50 million and will be imprisoned from six years to 12 years.

Maximum penalty will be meted to public officials or employees found violating the proposed measure.

The Senate investigation on POGOs mostly centered on dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, who was tagged in the supposed crimes of the gaming hub in her hometown.

Guo’s fingerprints were found to match those of Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, according to authorities.

It was a unanimous vote for Senate Bill 2868, which seeks to declare offshore gaming operations as illegal and repeal Republic Act 11590 or “An Act Taxing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations.”

Authors of the bill were Senators Win Gatchalian, Joel Villanueva, Bong Go, Raffy Tulfo, Pia Cayetano, Grace Poe, and Risa Hontiveros.

The House of Representatives counterpart bill is up for third reading. House Bill 10987 or the Anti-Offshore Gaming Operations bill was approved on second reading in February.