malaysiangMANILA: The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chaired by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros is set to continue its investigation on Philippine Offshore and Gaming Operations (POGOs) even after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared a total POGO ban in the country during his recent State of the Nation Address.
“Kahit inanunsyo na ang pag-ban ng POGO, oversight function ng Senado ang matiyak na ang phaseout ay tunay na maipapatupad, na ang mga sangkot sa krimen ay matukoy, ang mga victim-survivors ay mabigyan ng hustisya, at na ang mga manggagawa ay mabigyan ng just transition (Even it was announced that POGO is banned, Senate’s oversight function should ensure that the phaseout will be truly implemented, that the perpetrators will be identified, justice will be served for victim-survivors, and workers will be given just transition),” Hontiveros said in a statement on Friday.
Failures in regulation should also be addressed, including government offices th
at were reportedly corrupted by POGOs, she said.
She said these problems should be addressed by new policies that can be pushed in the Senate.
During the previous hearings, the panel focused on the alleged involvement of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in the establishment of a POGO raided in her town, while also questioning her background and identity.
Guo was cited in contempt by the panel along with her parents Jian Zhong Guo and Wenyi Lin; her siblings Seimen Leal Guo, Shiela Guo, and Wesley Leal Guo; POGO incorporator Nancy Gamo, and former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, for not attending the hearings.
“It’s not over yet. Hindi lang naman si Mayor Guo ang iniimbestigahan dito, kundi ang buong industriya ng POGO na nagdala ng samu’t saring krimen sa bansa (Guo is not the only one being investigated here, but the whole POGO industry which brought various crimes in the country),” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros’ panel is set to resume the hearings
on July 29.
Source: Philippines News Agency
