By Brian Campued
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday urged mayors to regularly check business establishments to ensure that they are not operating as Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), pursuant to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ban all POGOs by this year’s end.
Remulla made the statement during the Commission on Appointments hearing, where he answered queries about issues on local autonomy, POGOs, restructuring of the Philippine National Police, and travel authority of local chief executives, among others.
“The biggest disguise that they (POGOs) are going through now is that they are applying for [licenses as] resorts and restaurants,” the Interior chief said.
He cited a case in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu where authorities raided a resort that was operating as an illegal online gaming hub on Aug. 31.
Remulla reiterated that the Local Government Code of 1991 authorizes mayors to issue licenses and permits and suspend or revoke the same for any violation of the law or ordinances.
“It is really up to the mayors, when they issue business permits, [or] occupancy permits: they have to inspect the premises and to make sure that what is intended for is happening,” he said.
Last Nov. 8, the President issued Executive Order No. 74 which institutionalized the immediate ban of POGOs, internet gaming, and other offshore gaming operations in the country.
The ad-interim appointment of the former Cavite governor as DILG Secretary was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments, which is headed by Senate President Francis Escudero, in the same hearing.
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