Drilon criticizes Pagcor for defending POGO operations

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon criticized Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) for defending the continued operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Drilon argued that allowing POGOs in the Philippines is short-sighted, given the social problems they have caused such as prostitution, crime incidents, illegal workers, and money laundering.

At a Senate hearing on March 5, Drilon cited Cambodia's ban on Chinese-run online gambling firms as an example of how other countries are addressing similar issues.

Drilon also disagreed with Pagcor’s stance that the income generated by POGOs justifies their presence in the country.