OCULAR INSPECTION. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (in pink shirt) and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz (left, upper right photo) inspect a shuttered Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga on June 24, 2024. Gatchalian on Thursday (Oct. 10, 2024) said the suspension of local officials in Porac by the Office of the Ombudsman should be a lesson for other local government units to heed the policy of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on the total ban on POGOs in the country. (PNA photos by Avito Dalan)
MANILA – The suspension of local officials in Porac, Pampanga by the Office of the Ombudsman should be a lesson for other local government units (LGUs) to heed the policy of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on the total ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said on Thursday.
Gatchalian made the statement after Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered the suspension of Porac Mayor Jaime Capil, Vice Mayor Francis Laurence Tamayo, and councilors Rohner Buan, Rafael Canlapan, Adrian Carreon, Regin Clarete, Essel Joy David, Hilario Dimalanta, Michelle Santos, and John Nuevy Venzon, as well as Business Permit and Licensing Office OIC Emerald Vital.
"This should serve as a lesson for local officials out there who continue to tolerate illegal operations of POGOs in their localities despite the President’s directive for a total ban," he said.
LGUs, Gatchalian said, should not ignore criminal activities and must work to eliminate illegal activities in their areas.
"Huwag tayong magmaang-maangan sa mga kriminalidad na nangyayari sa ating mga lugar dahil obligasyon natin na linisin ang ating mga lugar ng mga gawaing labag sa batas (Let us not turn a blind eye to the crimes that happen in our areas because it is our obligation to rid our areas of illegal activities)," he added.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government filed a complaint against the Porac officials after the raid of Lucky South 99, a POGO hub in the town.
They were charged with Gross Neglect of Duty, which could result in their dismissal from government service if proven guilty.
The Ombudsman stated that the case involves inaction and willful non-compliance of duties, which allowed Lucky South 99 to continue operating.
The local officials were preventively suspended for six months without pay. (PNA)
