Porac LGU not to be blamed; POGO inspection, regulation out of its function

Illegal activities done by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in Porac, Pampanga, should not be blamed on the Porac local government as it was the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) that allowed it to operate as POGO and holds the power to regulate and inspect operations, Porac Mayor Jaime "Jing" Capil said.

In a statement on Thursday, Capil said that the LGU's Sanggunian Bayan issued in 2019 a "Letter of No Objection." Business permits were issued to LuckySouth 99 as "Outsourcing" in 2019 and 2020.

In 2021, PAGCOR issued a POGO license to the company based on the LONO obtained from Porac Sanggunian Bayan.

In the same year, up to 2023, Porac LGU issued Business Permits to the company as a POGO operator. PAGCOR did not formally communicate to Porac LGU that Lucky South 99's license had already expired.

This year, LuckySouth 99 failed to obtain a permit from the LGU due to a fire violation.

Capil also added that illegal activities would not have been possible only if PAGCOR had conducted regular inspections of POGO operations.

"It would not have been possible if PAGCOR representatives saw the illegal activities happening inside the premises," he said, adding that PAGCOR should have properly monitored LuckySouth 99's POGO operations.

Capil said that LuckySouth 99 was operating as a legitimate business on paper, even following and submitting proper documentation to the LGU. However, the company abused the town's hospitality.

He reiterated that Porac LGU did not have regulatory, visitation, or inspection powers similar to PAGCOR. If a complaint had been brought to his attention, he would have immediately obtained a search warrant.

In addition, Capil emphasized that Presidential Decree 771 revokes all local government powers and authority to grant franchises, licenses, permits, and regulate any form of gambling. The decree only gives PAGCOR the exclusive authority to regulate gaming operations.

"I will not tolerate any illegal activities in Porac town. POGO per se is legitimate. We allowed this BPO or POGO to operate in our town, but if LuckySouth 99 were involved in illegal activities that PAGCOR did not report, I would support the move to ban POGOs in the country," he said.