Senator Risa Hontiveros firmly stated that senate committee hearings cannot be concluded until the personalities behind the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in the country are identified.
During the joint committee hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender equality, Committee on Migrant Workers, and Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs regarding POGO probe, Committee Chair Hontiveros mentioned that they are determined to hold people accountable.
"Hindi rin natin pwedeng isara pa ang hearing na ito na hindi natin ganap na natukoy sino-sino ba ang kailangang managot sa karumaldumal na mga operasyong ito na nagdala ng pahirap sa ating mga kababayan," Sen. Hontiveros said during her opening statement for the committee hearing on Monday.
"Hindi namn pwede na nagpakasasa sila nang hanggang walong taon tapos pagsara ng POGO, pagkatapos n’yong mabusog, goodbye na lang, thank you na lang," she added.
The senator emphasized that the information gathered by the committee are clear evidences of the crimes associated with POGOs.
She also extended her gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his firm stance on the eradication of POGO operations in the country.
During the President's third State of the Nation Address (SONA), he declared the ban on all POGO operations in the country.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian manifested the same sentiment and said that he would want to question officials from various government agencies regarding the next steps for executing the president's order.
As per Senate President pro-tempore Jinggoy Estrada, he ought to guarantee that Filipino workers will receive help following the closing of POGOs.
