(Business Mirror) A lawmaker on Friday called on Congress to immediately work for the banning of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) in the country, amid the recent spate of kidnappings, abductions and other illegal activities involving Chinese nationals working in the online gaming industry.
House Committee on Appropriations Vice Chairman and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin said kidnapping incidents have immensely affected the image of the Philippines and might be driving away investors.
The lawmaker’s statement came after Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Thursday, said the country faces “reputational risks” if it continues to allow POGOs to operate.
He added that POGOs’ impact on the country’s revenues would not be significant enough since revenues have reached only P3.9 billion in 2021, a little over half the P7.2 billion it generated at its peak… Read More
