Senator Risa Hontiveros welcomed Malacañang's clarification on Executive Order No. 74, confirming that the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) is included in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) ban.
This is the directive of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and the Anti-Money Laundering Council, which stated that Offshore Interactive Gaming is prohibited in CEZA.
Hontiveros also called on Bersamin to completely ban online games in casino operator-licensed establishments, pointing out that these casinos are being used by former POGO operators as an alternative platform.
Moreover, the senator also pushed for the passage of the Anti-POGO Bill, arguing that the policy banning POGOs in the country should not solely depend on Executive directives.
"Muli ko ding ipinapanawagan na suportahan na ng Malacañang ang Anti-POGO Bill para hindi lang nakadepende sa mga utos ng Executive ang polisiya ng pag-ban sa POGO," Hontiveros said in a statement on Friday.
"Let us pass a clear, complete, and comprehensive Anti-POGO bill to ensure that POGOs never emerge in our country again," she added.
It was noted during the closure of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality's investigation that CEZA served as the hub for the initial large-scale POGO operations.
On November 8, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country through an executive order (EO).
The EO declares all POGOs, IGLs, and offshore gaming operators without proper licenses or government authorization as illegal gambling entities, making them subject to the ongoing crackdown by law enforcement.
It also prohibits the acceptance of new applications for POGO, IGL, and other offshore gaming licenses or permits.
