Manila—Senator Risa Hontiveros stated that the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality will hold the final hearing on the dismissed mayors of Banban and Tarlac, Alice Guo, and the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), revealing that her office has obtained new information about spies from China in the gambling sites.
Hontiveros mentioned that the panel will discuss all "pending issues" at the hearing on the morning of November 26.
Speaking in front of the Senate pavilion, Hontiveros said: "In May, we will take action to prevent the impact of the Philippine offshore gaming industry. We have obtained new information, especially about Chinese spies appearing in the Philippines through online gaming companies."
She said that the Senate has concluded the budget deliberations, and now it is time for the final hearing on Guo, POGO, and the alleged illegal activities involved.
The policy to ban offshore gaming operators has "policy loopholes."
Hontiveros stated that she believes the executive order by President Ferdinand Marcos to formally ban the online gaming industry has policy loopholes.
She said: "Even with an executive order banning POGO, there are some things that need clarification."
"That's why we will propose legislative amendments that need to be passed, as we see many regulatory violations and policy loopholes with the surge of POGO and the accompanying criminal activities," she added.
