Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday called on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to immediately collect P1.36 billion that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) owes the government.
According to a recent audit report from the Commission on Audit (COA), this is the total outstanding debt of 15 POGOs in the country.
“Bakit hinayaang umabot sa ganitong kalaki ang utang ng POGO? Pagcor needs to throw its weight and go after them. Bilyon na pala ang utang, ang dami pang krimen na pinasok sa Pilipinas. POGOs, magbayad na at umalis na kayong lahat sa Pilipinas,” Hontiveros said.
According to Pagcor’s Legal Department, of the 15 delinquent POGOs, three were still operating as of January 12; eight had their licenses canceled, three were under review, and one was suspended.
“Kapag nagbayad na, dapat huwag na bigyan pa ng lisensya. Kung ang mga Pilipino nga na hindi makapagbayad ng upa, sinisingil kaagad. Samantalang ang POGOs, sobra-sobrang palugit ang ibinibigay?” Hontiveros said.
“When POGOs first entered the country, we were promised investment and economic activity, but what we got was a myriad of crimes,” she said.
“Pagcor should not condone this P1.36 billion debt. I’ve repeatedly called on the government to get rid of POGOs because the social cost of their operations outweigh the shallow gains,” she added.
“Sakit sila sa ulo na hindi kailanman magagamot. We didn’t need POGOs then and we surely don’t need them now,” Hontiveros said.
The post Hontiveros to Pagcor: Collect POGOs’ P1.36B debt first appeared on .Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
No comments:
Post a Comment