The Senate Committee on Ways and Means has approved the report to expel the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) from the country.
The panel's chairman, Senator Sherwin 'Win' Gatchalian, submitted the approved committee report which contains six signatories from the members, to the Malacañang Palace.
Among those who signed were Senators Pia Cayetano, Joseph Victor 'JV' Ejercito, Raffy Tulfo, Risa Hontiveros, Grace Poe, and Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa.
Committee members who did not sign were Senators Sonny Angara, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Christopher Lawrence 'Bong' Go, Francis 'Tol' Tolentino, Nancy Binay, Manuel 'Lito' Lapid, Mark Villar, Pia Cayetano, Francis 'Chiz' Escudero, Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, and Robinhood 'Robin' Padilla.
In a statement posted on his official website, Gatchalian regarded the development as a stepping stone in thwarting crimes caused by POGO firms.
"Inaasahan natin na maaabot ang ating layunin na mapanatili ang kaayusan sa bansa, na siyang magdudulot ng paglago ng ating ekonomiya," he added.
According to the Senator, the panel's approved report is calling "for the adoption of a resolution urging the executive department to cease the operations of POGOs."
Gatchalian said the panel report also urged the labor department to offer alternative jobs in other industries for Filipinos employed in POGO companies, and the immigration bureau to order deportation and cancel and revoke the working visa of foreigners working in POGOs.
It can be recalled that in March this year, the Senator recommended the total ban of POGO in the country, citing that this has failed to provide the "promised economic benefits" to Filipinos.
"Instead, POGOs created a new avenue for crime and corruption, damaging our country's reputation among diplomatic allies, foreign investors, potential tourists, and even our own countrymen. The data and evidence on hand point to the same conclusion, enough is enough. It's time to ban offshore gaming in the Philippines, once and for all," Gatchalian said earlier.
According to the latest data from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the total number of victims of POGO-related incidents reached 4,355 from January 2017 to June 30, 2023.
The reported incidents include human trafficking, forcible abduction, homicide, illegal detention, kidnapping-for-ransom, theft, robbery-extortion, serious physical injuries, swindling, and grave coercion, among others.
