Photo Release

Are we allowing an activity that is illegal in another country?: Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri raises this question as he ponders on the social costs of letting the operations of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) business in the country. During the second hybrid hearing of the Committee on Ways and Means, Tuesday, October 11, 2022, Zubiri said Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Philippines Huang Xilian reiterated the Chinese government's official position on the POGO or online gambling when the envoy paid a courtesy call to his office. He said the Chinese government is against any forms of gambling including POGO. Citing the experience of China, according to Ambassador Huang, Zubiri pointed out that it is hard to regulate online transactions and therefore, might as well ban online gambling. (Screengrab/Senate PRIB)