Rappler's latest stories on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators
FALSE: Roque says Duterte receives P460 million monthly from POGOs
Roque did not say this quote, and Inquirer.net says the graphic was manipulated
Gov't promises to be stricter going after POGO taxes
Under the guidelines and requirements of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, POGOs must show proof of full tax compliance before they are allowed to resume operations
76 illegal POGO workers arrested in Makati
Of the arrested Philippine offshore gaming operations workers, 63 are Chinese while 13 are Filipino
POGOs like BPOs? Drilon says PH to lose franchise tax, license fees
Senator Risa Honriveros also slams Pagcor for releasing a full-page ad on POGOs, asking why the regulatory body is doing public relations for them
POGOs must pay taxes before resuming operations in lockdown – Pagcor
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation says revenue generated from them can be used to fund the government's coronavirus response
[OPINION | Newspoint] POGOs, a social virus
'As everything Chinese, POGOs, along with their breeder, should have been held off at the first instance — held off, pandemic or no pandemic, at a social distance of no less than the entire breadth of the West Philippine Sea'
Justice Leonen: Laws ban poor man's gambling, but POGOs allowed?
'We have to continue calling attention to these kinds of discrepancies,' Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen
Industry speaks up: POGOs are not BPOs
'IT-enabled jobs BPO companies create are of much higher value, requiring a range of technical, domain, and soft skills,' says the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines
'No favoritism' in allowing POGOs amid lockdown – Roque
Funds collected by the government from POGO establishments will be used to boost the fight to curb the coronavirus pandemic, says the Duterte spokesman
Gambling-dependent Philippines allows POGOs to resume operations
(UPDATED) Pagcor chief Andrea Domingo says Philippine offshore gaming operations are technically business process outsourcing (BPO) companies whose bettors are overseas
53 arrested as police bust illegal POGO operation in Parañaque
Cops arrest 44 Chinese and 9 Filipinos in a house in Parañaque that was being used to run an illegal POGO operation
Dominguez clarifies resumption of POGOs not gov't priority
It would be up to the Bureau of Internal Revenue to decide whether to allow POGOs, which are linked to tax evasion and other alleged crimes, to operate again
Reopen POGOs? 'High risk,' warns Senator Villanueva
'Most of them also don't pay taxes,' says Senator Joel Villaneuva
POGO slowdown amid pandemic to hurt property sector
The booming property sector in the Philippines fueled by Chinese gambling money hits a snag, as the coronavirus pandemic stops POGO operations
Pagcor says POGOs donated P150M in medical supplies, food
POGOs were previously sanctioned for not paying taxes
Coronavirus stops bingo and casinos, POGOs remain open
Pagcor allows POGOs to continue operating, but with only a minimal number of workers
Duterte says POGOs 'clean,' but AMLC warns of dirty money
The Anti-Money Laundering Council flags the lack of transparency and low level of awareness of rules in the online gaming industry
Duterte clears POGOs despite alleged crime links
'Under my oath of office as President of the Republic, as elected by you, 'yang POGO na 'yan, malinis 'yan,' says President Rodrigo Duterte
Probably not 3,000, but Chinese agents are around us – intel experts
(UPDATED) Are there undercover Chinese military agents among POGO workers entering the country? Military and intelligence community sources say they've been here all along.
Panelo defends Duterte's decision to keep POGOs running: 'Hindi naman masama'
'You cannot be burning the entire house just because there are so many rats there,' says Panelo of the President's decision to keep POGOs despite alleged crime links
[EDITORIAL] Tinik sa lalamunan ang mga POGO
Halimbawa ito ng gangster mentality ng mga opisyal natin na nag-aasam ng mabilis na kita kapalit ng ating katinuan at kaluluwa
Duterte won't ban POGOs despite alleged crime links – Panelo
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo says President Rodrigo Duterte's decision is also based on the need to fund government projects
'If we're acting like a province of China, why allow POGOs?' – Drilon
'Why are we so in love with POGOs?' Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon asks sarcastically
Malacañang: Duterte won't rush decision on calls for POGO suspension
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo also says the President's decision to suspend lotto operations in 2019 – widely criticized as done in haste – should not be compared to his perceived slow action on calls to suspend POGO operations
PNP says rise in Chinese kidnappings linked to POGO worker influx
PNP deputy director for operations Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar says the increase in crime is related to the number of Chinese who have arrived here
2,000+ Chinese military in PH for immersion? Checking, says AFP chief
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is verifying a raw report from Senator Panfilo Lacson that up to 3,000 members of China’s military are in the Philippines on an ‘immersion mission’
Drilon to Pagcor: 'Stupid mindset' to allow POGOs for money
'The social problems that POGO has brought to our country is not worth the relocation fees that you earn for Pagcor. Let me tell you that right in your face,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon
'Baka military?' Residents troubled by POGO workers moving into Parañaque subdivision
Villagers say it's suspicious that a new firing range has popped up near their club house as droves of able-bodied Chinese nationals move into their neighborhood
'Filipinos' safety first': Hontiveros wants Chinese 'criminals' deported
The Chinese embassy says criminal cases in the country involving its citizens are only 'isolated incidents'
LIVE: Senate hearing on money laundering, sex trafficking in POGO industry
The Senate probes alleged money laundering, crimes, and other nefarious activities associated with POGO operations
Gordon says Duterte's 'soft' stance on China fuels POGO scandals
'That's why there is some tolerance. Takot sila eh. Hindi nila alam. 'May deal ba si boss dito? May deal ba ang Presidente dito? Pinagbibigyan niya itong mga ito',' says Senator Richard Gordon
POGOs linked to crimes: Forged PH passports, money-laundering, sex trafficking
(UPDATE) Here's a rundown of issues hounding the opaque Philippine offshore gaming operations industry
Pasig officials charged as Vico Sotto cracks down on illegal businesses, fixers
(UPDATED) ‘Hindi ‘nyo po talaga ako makukumbinse na okay ang POGO para sa Pasig City,’ says the mayor as he warns his own bureaucracy against ‘negotiating’ with illegal business operators
China cracks down on cross-border crimes as POGOs thrive in PH
There are reports that China has canceled the passports of thousands of Chinese working for Philippine offshore gaming operators
Vico Sotto shuts down illegal Chinese restaurant in Pasig, says no to POGO
'Kakapal ng mukha!' Indignant at owners of a permit-less restaurant, the Pasig mayor offers to help the Bureau of Immigration track down and deport illegal workers and businessmen in the city.
BIR shuts down POGO for failing to pay P114-million taxes
Synchronization Anywhere for You Incorporated is the first POGO firm to be padlocked by the Bureau of Internal Revenue
The Chinese among us
They can be crime suspects, victims, or complicit Filipinos
Duterte says he 'loves' immigration chief Morente amid POGO bribery mess
Does the President exempt Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, a former Davao police chief, from accountability for the bribery scheme that let illegal Chinese workers slip into the country?
Majority of immigration officers part of 'pastillas scheme' – BI whistleblower
Whistleblower Allison Chiong says immigration officers in NAIA Terminal 1 receive as much as P20,000 a week in the bribery scheme
Duterte sacks immigration officials, employees over POGO bribery scheme
President Rodrigo Duterte found 'probable cause' to investigate allegations that immigration officers have taken bribes to let illegal Chinese workers slip into the country, says his spokesman
BI sacks heads of NAIA terminals as it probes bribery claims
Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval says the officials 'were removed from their posts due to command responsibility' while the BI investigates the alleged 'pastillas' scheme for arriving POGO workers
LOOK: How syndicates, airport officials split P10,000 bribe from POGO workers
In a modus called 'pastillas,' POGOs pay P10,000 per person and provide free lunch to get VIP treatment
‘Magkano at hanggang kanino?’: Hontiveros reveals bribery in entry of POGO workers
(UPDATED) The senator confronts immigration officials at a hearing after an informant alleges that the entry of POGO employees is facilitated for P10,000 per person
Rescued Taiwanese worker tags a 'Michael Yang' as POGO protector in gov't
(UPDATED) Senator Risa Hontiveros says they have yet to check if the Michael Yang name-dropped by POGO owners is President Duterte's former 'economic adviser'
Money laundering threat: Villanueva recommends suspending POGOs
Conflicting employment figures, unpaid taxes, and rising crimes lead Senate labor committee chair Joel Villanueva to recommend suspending online gambling in the Philippines
Hontiveros sees link between influx of POGO workers, rise of sex trafficking in Manila
Senator Risa Hontiveros says photos of trafficked women are being passed around in WeChat and Telegram chat groups, where there are 'menus of services, as though in a restaurant'
Pagcor orders POGOs to quarantine new workers
The predominantly Chinese industry is also told by Philippine regulators to 'exercise extreme caution' in hiring new employees amid the spread of the novel coronavirus in several countries
Taxes from POGOs soar 169% to P6.4 billion in 2019
The Philippine government improves in getting cash from tax-dodging online gambling operators, but it still falls short of its target
342 Chinese POGO workers without visas set to be deported
POGOs are the country's fastest-growing industry. They have caused friction because of allegations of widespread tax evasion and the influx of tens of thousands of immigrant workers.
