‘Name ex-Cabinet official who lobbied for illegal POGOs’

MANILA, Philippines — Senators challenged the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to name the former Cabinet official who allegedly facilitated the grant of gaming licenses to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) so as not to cast doubt on all other former members of the Cabinet.

Senate President Francis Escudero said if PAGCOR fails to name this former Cabinet official, then his colleagues Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian should unmask him.

“PAGCOR should name the official. If not, then the committee chaired and headed by Sens. Hontiveros and Gatchalian should unmask this official (so that not all former high-ranking cabinet officials will be looked upon with suspicion) and find out if he or she violated any law,” Escudero said.

PAGCOR chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco said that those investigating the suspicious activities of former POGO licensees must also look into the role of former officials and their conduits in the grant of licenses to POGO applicants with dubious backgrounds.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III issued a similar call.

“To be fair to all former Cabinet members, PAGCOR should reveal the identity of this person, so he or she can defend self,” Pimentel said.

Similarly, Sen. Joel Villanueva urged PAGCOR to drop the name, reminding the gaming body that “the government is not showbiz that thrives with blind items.”

“Name the official. We are not in showbiz, so there is no need for it to become a blind item. People need to know the truth and hold accountable those responsible,” Villanueva said, adding that Tengco’s revelation would only bolster the call to permanently ban POGO operations in the country.

“They (POGO) have infiltrated not only the business and gaming industries but also our government, allegedly with local and even high-ranking officials serving as their protectors,” Villanueva added.

Meanwhile, Tengco said PAGCOR continues to cleanse the ranks of internet gaming licensees (IGL) – the new nomenclature and acronym for POGO – to weed out irregularities and criminal activities in the sector.

Tengco said that from the original 46 firms granted licenses last year, only 42 remain after