The Philippine Senate's five-year investigation into offshore gaming operators (POGO) has finally unveiled a vast network of interests exploiting the gaming industry for profit.
Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, emphasized in the final hearing that these findings reflect serious loopholes in the legal and policy framework, urgently needing reform.
Hontiveros presented a complex diagram at the hearing, linking several key figures related to the gaming industry, including former President Duterte, former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang, suspects related to the "Pharmally" scandal, self-proclaimed Chinese spy She Zhijiang, and the dismissed mayor of Danlugan, Alice Guo, along with her relative Cassie Ong. Even former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was mentioned as being associated with this network.
"POGO is not just an industry, but a Trojan horse, hiding bigger collusions of interest," Hontiveros stated bluntly.
She added, "The purpose of the investigation is to reveal systemic issues, not just to hold certain individuals accountable. This hearing exposed the inadequacies of the law, and the results are disappointing—too many loopholes, insufficient protective measures."
In response to the issues discovered during the investigation, Hontiveros proposed several areas needing reform, including birth registration, immigration procedures, passport and visa applications, corporate registration mechanisms, banking secrecy laws, and the electoral system. She noted that although the hearing has concluded, the push for legislative reform is just beginning.
"Our goal is to prevent another 'Alice Guo' incident from happening," she said.
From the "Pastillas" corruption case to this POGO investigation, the Senate has revealed the negative impact of the gaming industry on Philippine society over the past five years. Hontiveros summarized that the prosperity of POGO began under former President Duterte's administration, but it has proven to benefit only a few while putting ordinary Filipinos in difficulty.
She emphasized, "Behind POGO is a complex web of interests. They profit from it, at the expense of the welfare of the Filipino people. These industries have not only failed to deliver the promised economic benefits but have brought endless nightmares instead."
As the POGO investigation concludes, the Senate will shift its focus towards promoting specific legislation to plug systemic loopholes and ensure similar issues do not recur.
