DOF chief welcomes Marcos’ total Pogo ban order

Ralph Recto —Senate PRIB

MANILA – Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto on Monday welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to impose a total ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos).

“I support the President’s decision to ban Pogo. The cost outweighs the benefits,” Recto said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency.

“Ako, tama naman ‘yun palagay ko. May mga reputational risks din ‘yung Pogo, not to mention maraming dulot na masasama sa ating lipunan, ‘no. Kita naman natin, napag-uusapan natin ‘yan halos araw-araw (I think that is right. Pogos have reputational risks, not to mention there are bad effects in the country. We see these, we talk about these every day),” he said in a separate interview on the sidelines of the President’s State of the Nation Address.

READ: Marcos bans Pogo, cites ‘disorder’ it caused PH

Recto said there are crimes linked to the illegal Pogo operations in the country.

The finance chief said he recommended to the President the total Pogo ban, adding he also provided a cost-benefit analysis.

“Kaya ‘pag isuma-total mo ‘yan dun sa rekomendasyon ko sa Pangulo na i-ban ‘yung Pogo, pinakita rin namin kung ano ‘yung mga cost-benefit analysis dyan, sa palagay ko, tama ang desisyon ng Pangulo (If we sum it up, my recommendation to ban Pogo and the cost-benefit analysis, I think the decision of the President is right),” Recto added.