OPINION
Ed Javier
Is PAGCOR's Tengco Undermining President Marcos Jr.?
Photo credit: PAGCOR
In President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA), he made a pivotal decision to ban Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
This directive, alongside his firm stance on the Philippines' rights over the West Philippine Sea, received the strongest applause during his third SONA.
The President’s decision was driven by the significant social ills and adverse financial impacts associated with POGOs. Yet, despite this clear directive, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR ) Chairman AlejandroTengco appears to be dragging his feet, seemingly defying the President’s stance.
Why is Chairman Tengco hesitating to enforce the ban? Is he undermining President Marcos' directive? It is unclear.
For starters, the Pagcor Board of Directors led by Chairman Tengco should immediately pass a resolution revoking the licenses of these Pogo firms and authorize management to notify them soonest, in compliance with the President's directive.
Tengco’s recent media statements suggest reluctance to act decisively. He questions whether the President's order applies to PAGCOR-licensed entities, despite the clear intent behind the directive.
This raises suspicions of deliberate obfuscation, potentially allowing POGOs to continue under different names, such as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) or other aliases.
President Marcos’ directive clearly encompasses all forms of online gaming, not just those explicitly named POGOs. Tengco’s attempts to play with semantics only delay and dilute the enforcement of the ban.
Regardless of the name—whether POGO, POGI, IGL, or any other—it is imperative that all online gaming operations be shut down by the end of the year.
Tengco’s responsibility is to enforce the President's order, not to find loopholes or shift the burden to other departments. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has clarified that the ban includes both POGOs and IGLs.
Tengco’s efforts to differentiate between them are unnecessary and counterproductive. He must act promptly to comply with President Marcos’ directive, by immediately notifying these firms of the revocation of their PAGCOR licenses, effective by the end of 2024.
This will uphold the President’s decision and provide a reasonable timeframe for businesses and employees to make necessary adjustments.
We agree with Senate President Chiz Escudero's opinion that there is no need to pass additional legislation to institutionalize the ban. The licenses issued by PAGCOR legalized POGOs; thus, the ban simply requires revocation of these licenses.
The financial contribution of POGOs, often cited as beneficial, pales in comparison to their negative impacts. According to a Department of Finance (DOF) study, POGOs generate about PHP 166 billion annually.
However, the economic costs—including reputational risks, decreased foreign direct investments, and reduced tourism revenues—amount to over PHP 265 billion, resulting in a net loss of PHP 99.52 billion each year. These figures underscore the substantial economic burden POGOs impose on the Philippines.
Additionally, the social costs, including loss of life, psychological harm, and increased crime rates, are significant and unquantifiable. The continued operation of POGOs exacerbates money laundering and other illegal activities, further damaging the nation’s reputation and economic stability.
To prevent any perception of backsliding on this widely popular decision, Tengco must act swiftly and decisively to shut down all forms of online gaming operations. The economic and social costs of allowing POGOs and their variants to operate are intolerable. It is imperative to end these operations immediately, ensuring a safer and more reputable environment for all Filipinos.
Our countrymen cannot afford a dilly-dallying PAGCOR Chairman.
This directive, alongside his firm stance on the Philippines' rights over the West Philippine Sea, received the strongest applause during his third SONA.
The President’s decision was driven by the significant social ills and adverse financial impacts associated with POGOs. Yet, despite this clear directive, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR ) Chairman AlejandroTengco appears to be dragging his feet, seemingly defying the President’s stance.
Why is Chairman Tengco hesitating to enforce the ban? Is he undermining President Marcos' directive? It is unclear.
For starters, the Pagcor Board of Directors led by Chairman Tengco should immediately pass a resolution revoking the licenses of these Pogo firms and authorize management to notify them soonest, in compliance with the President's directive.
Tengco’s recent media statements suggest reluctance to act decisively. He questions whether the President's order applies to PAGCOR-licensed entities, despite the clear intent behind the directive.
This raises suspicions of deliberate obfuscation, potentially allowing POGOs to continue under different names, such as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) or other aliases.
President Marcos’ directive clearly encompasses all forms of online gaming, not just those explicitly named POGOs. Tengco’s attempts to play with semantics only delay and dilute the enforcement of the ban.
Regardless of the name—whether POGO, POGI, IGL, or any other—it is imperative that all online gaming operations be shut down by the end of the year.
Tengco’s responsibility is to enforce the President's order, not to find loopholes or shift the burden to other departments. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has clarified that the ban includes both POGOs and IGLs.
Tengco’s efforts to differentiate between them are unnecessary and counterproductive. He must act promptly to comply with President Marcos’ directive, by immediately notifying these firms of the revocation of their PAGCOR licenses, effective by the end of 2024.
This will uphold the President’s decision and provide a reasonable timeframe for businesses and employees to make necessary adjustments.
We agree with Senate President Chiz Escudero's opinion that there is no need to pass additional legislation to institutionalize the ban. The licenses issued by PAGCOR legalized POGOs; thus, the ban simply requires revocation of these licenses.
The financial contribution of POGOs, often cited as beneficial, pales in comparison to their negative impacts. According to a Department of Finance (DOF) study, POGOs generate about PHP 166 billion annually.
However, the economic costs—including reputational risks, decreased foreign direct investments, and reduced tourism revenues—amount to over PHP 265 billion, resulting in a net loss of PHP 99.52 billion each year. These figures underscore the substantial economic burden POGOs impose on the Philippines.
Additionally, the social costs, including loss of life, psychological harm, and increased crime rates, are significant and unquantifiable. The continued operation of POGOs exacerbates money laundering and other illegal activities, further damaging the nation’s reputation and economic stability.
To prevent any perception of backsliding on this widely popular decision, Tengco must act swiftly and decisively to shut down all forms of online gaming operations. The economic and social costs of allowing POGOs and their variants to operate are intolerable. It is imperative to end these operations immediately, ensuring a safer and more reputable environment for all Filipinos.
Our countrymen cannot afford a dilly-dallying PAGCOR Chairman.
Jul 24, 2024
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