To spare other former Cabinet officials from suspicions, senators led by Senate President Francis Escudero on have urged Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Alejandro Tengco to name the former Cabinet member whom he said interceded in the illegal POGO operations.
Aside from Escudero, the call was made by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and Senators Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian and Risa Hontiveros.
Escudero said PAGCOR should name the “official.” If not, in the Committee chaired and headed by Senators Hontiveros and Gatchalian, it
should unmask this official so that not all “former high ranking Cabinet officials” will be looked upon with suspicion and find out if he/she violated any laws,” he said.
To be fair to all former cabinet members, Pimentel said PAGCOR should reveal the identity of this person, so he or she can defend self.
Villanueva downplayed any “blind item” as we are not in showbiz.
Gatchalian related that in the Senate hearing, they will ask Tengco to name the former Cabinet official.
He surmised Tengco was alluding to a Cabinet member of former President Rodrigo Duterte since POGO operations commenced in the Philippines under his administration.
“That was how I read it from his press release. I’m not sure who he is, and how high was his position,” noted Gatchalian.
Since there is an ongoing Senate probe on this issue, and Tengco gave that statement, Gatchalian guaranteed they will press for that information.
He cannot say if Tengco was referring to the Senate or court as the “proper forum” where he would disclose the identity of the former Cabinet member who had been lobbying for the illegal POGOs, as well as the
circumstances that led to the proliferation of illegal and criminal offshore gaming operations.
“It was not clear if it’s in the court or Senate. It’s their discretion,” he said.
He said they will also seek from PAGCOR a copy of their official investigation report so they can invite the said former Cabinet official.
“It is important to hold them accountable because if their allegations are indeed true and there is evidence, we will call them to the Senate hearing,” stressed Gatchalian.
Gatchalian and Senators Risa Hontiveros hope Tengco will divulge the identity of the ex- Cabinet official.
In an earlier statement, Tengco said the high-government official facilitated to grant gaming licenses to some of the illegal POGOs raided by authorities.
The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family and Gender Equality, chaired by Hontiveros, has set on July 10 the next Senate hearing on illegal POGO operations.
She expected Tengco to personally appear and not send his representatives in the hearing.
“Whoever that ex-Cabinet official turns out to be, the fact remains-POGOs are being used as a legal cover for scam hubs.”
Sen. Sonny Angara raised the possibility that money changed hands so that illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) get support from former government officials.
He said this should be closely watched by our regulators in the police, PAGCOR and even in the local government units (LGUs).
“I just hope they will not be influenced,” said Angara.
He expressed hopes that government officials even in the past, would not use their influence to allow
any illegality.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri also joined the demand for Tengco to name names to determine those involved in the illegal POGO operations.
He said this former Cabinet official and others with links to POGOs should be held liable.
“So, let the ax fall as it may…. if it can be proven that they indeed facilitated for the illegal POGOs,” added Zubiri.
Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality has scheduled the next POGO hearing on July 20, 2024.
