Manila Congressmen Ernix Dionisio and Irwin Tieng sought ban on all forms of illegal gambling and vowed to work for the formal and perpetual ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) through legislation.
During the “MACHRA Balitaan” of the Manila City Hall Reporters’ Association (MACHRA) held at Harbor View in Manila, Dionisio and Tieng said they are both seeking a ban on all forms of illegal gambling, citing how it had been hooking the hapless poor and youngsters due to easy accessibility.
Dionisio stressed that gambling should be confined to casinos for adults who have money to spare, instead of being made available online where the poor and the young, especially students, are exposed to the tendency of borrowing from loan sharks or even committing crimes to sustain their vice.
“Gambling should be limited only to those who go to the casinos. Dapat ang sugal hindi accessible lalo na sa mga bata na ipinupusta pati mga baon nila (Gambling should not be accessible especially to children who are betting with their pockets),” the first district congressman said.
He also mentioned the recent case of a policeman who, despite being a member of the law enforcement, himself got hooked on gambling.
Meanwhile, Tieng, fifth district congressman, said he had written to a major telecommunications company, asking for an explanation why it had been sending text messages to subscribers enticing them to enter into gambling.
He is also questioning the company if the text messages are being sent to all subscribers regardless of whether or not they are minors.
He noted that the text messages contain links that only requires one click to be able to enter into the world of online gambling.
The two congressmen also said that banning POGOs must be formalized and institutionalized by passing a law.
Dionisio emphasized the harm and negative impact that POGO brings to the society far outweighs the benefits, saying there are many other ways to generate funds.
“Dumarami ang corrupt, kokonti ang yumayaman, selective ang nagbe-benefit, tapos magtatapon ng konting barya sa komunidad (Corruption cases is increasing, few are getting rich and benefiting, and they just throw a little coin in the community),” he noted.
Tieng likewise said that the unruly behavior of those behind POGO operations and the crimes being committed as an end result are not worth allowing it in the country.
He cited the staggering crimes being committed in the country by those involved in POGO operations as exposed by law authorities who run after them.
Dionisio expressed support to the stance of Senate President Chiz Escudero that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) should do its job of serving merely as a regulatory body and avoid being part of the gambling operations itself.