By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo
Ah, the Philippine Senate! Where every day is a new episode of “Who’s on First?” And today’s plot twist? Senators, led by the distinguished Secretary of Defense Gilberto Teodoro, are rallying behind the noble cause of banning illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Let’s all give them a standing ovation for this groundbreaking revelation: illegal activities are illegal! Who knew?
Senate President Francis Escudero, in a moment of profound clarity, announced that all illegal POGOs—those “not operating as intended”—should be shut down. A brilliant suggestion, indeed, because, as we all know, banning illegal activities is the essence of legislative innovation. As if he were whispering into the wind, Escudero advised that the government should engage PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) in this crucial dialogue about national security. Paging PAGCOR, please pick up your phone. The Senate is calling to confirm that “illegal” means illegal!
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, never one to miss a beat, added that the mere existence of 250 unlicensed POGOs should be enough to prompt a crackdown. Estrada’s insight? If PAGCOR has the intel, they should just “shut them down.” Ah, yes, because who needs due process when you have a list of unlicensed entities? And let’s not forget, the visas of these nefarious POGO workers should be canceled faster than you can say “expulsion!”
Senator Loren Legarda, with the poise of a seasoned dramatist, called for “drastic action” to keep POGOs from being fronts for criminal activity. Legarda’s solution? Shutting them down now, pronto! Because, as we all know, drastic action is the best way to ensure that criminals don’t find new and inventive ways to be criminal.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice, in a stroke of bureaucratic genius, called for a “whole-of-government” approach to the POGO conundrum. DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez eloquently summarized the situation, pondering whether the benefits of POGOs outweigh the social costs and public safety issues. It’s like asking if the cake is worth the calories, isn’t it? Vasquez, ever the diplomat, wants to weigh the “advantages” against the “serious and grave social cost.” Spoiler alert: the law already has a pretty solid stance on what’s legal and what’s not. But who’s counting?
Let’s not forget the proposed bill in the House to ban POGOs altogether. Because why settle for merely closing the illegal ones when you can ban all POGOs, legal or not? This bill is a masterpiece of logic, like closing all the windows because one is open.
So, let’s break this down with some legalese for our esteemed senators:
1. Criminal Law 101: All illegal activities are banned by default. The Revised Penal Code already does a pretty good job of covering this. No need to reinvent the wheel, folks.
2. PAGCOR’s Role: PAGCOR, under Republic Act No. 9487, has the authority to regulate and supervise all gaming operations. So, if PAGCOR says it’s illegal, then it’s illegal. Simple as that.
3. Visa Regulations: Under the Philippine Immigration Act, any foreigner involved in illegal activities should be deported. No need for additional laws, just enforce the ones we have.
Recommendations?
1. Enforce Existing Laws: Let’s start with the basics. Implement the laws we already have before we draft new ones. The Revised Penal Code and the Immigration Act are quite comprehensive.
2. Streamline Regulations: PAGCOR and the DOJ should work together to ensure that all POGOs, legal or illegal, are appropriately monitored and regulated. Transparency and enforcement are key.
3. Focus on Real Issues: Instead of getting lost in the semantics of legality, let’s tackle the real issues: human trafficking, money laundering, and organized crime linked to POGOs. That’s where the real action is needed.
In conclusion, while the Senate’s debate over banning POGOs may seem like a comedy of errors, it underscores a deeper issue: the need for effective governance and enforcement. Let’s hope our lawmakers get their act together and focus on making sure all activities declared illegal are, indeed, illegal. Because in the end, the only thing more baffling than the POGO paradox is the idea that we need to be reminded that illegal is already banned.
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KWEBA ni BAROK 
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