Pagcor to name official who lobbied for illegal POGOs

On Saturday, June 29, Pagcor revealed that a former high-ranking government official attempted to facilitate gaming licenses for illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) involved in criminal activities.

Congressmen Robert Ace S. Barbers and France Castro have urged Pagcor to name the unnamed official who lobbied for these POGOs, calling for transparency and accountability.

Senators Francis Escudero, Aquilino Pimentel III, Sherwin T. Gatchalian, and Risa Hontiveros plan Senate hearings in July to investigate the former official's involvement and disclose information about controversial individuals behind illegal POGOs.

Pagcor confirmed it will identify these individuals at an appropriate forum and stated that under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the number of licensed POGOs has been reduced from 298 to just 43, with investigations ongoing into former officials' roles in granting dubious licenses.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro warned that criminal syndicates posing as POGOs are national security threats and must be stopped, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.