Senatorial aspirant Jimmy Bondoc has expressed his opinion about POGOs.

This is what senatorial aspirant Jimmy Bondoc said about the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the Philippines.

Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) offer online gambling services. They do it through electronic casinos, sports betting, and other services offered to people outside the country.

POGOs began their operation in the Philippines in 2003 and went all out during the administration of then-President Rodrigo Duterte. The former president loosened up the country’s internet gambling policies during his time considering the revenue and job offers to Filipinos.

There is a dark side to POGOs which includes financial scamming, money laundering, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, killings, and others. In recent years, POGOs have created more intense talk in the country and have become the subject of a Senate probe. Suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo was accused of allowing the firm to continue its operations despite lacking authority.

At the Panel Round of the “GMA Senatorial Face-Off 2025” aired on Saturday, senatorial aspirant Jimmy Bondoc expressed his opinion about POGOs. He believes that these are not inherently harmful and may actually give social benefits if operated correctly.

He said this when asked about the issues of human trafficking, kidnapping, physical abuse, and scamming related to POGOs. As mentioned, he is not defending POGOs but he believes that with proper operation, it may bring benefits.

“Ang dinidepensahan ko ay hindi ang konsepto ng POGO. Ang aking dinidepensahan ay kung maaari bang patakbuhin ito nang tama. At sa akin pong tunay na palagay, base sa karanasan, puwedeng patakbuhin ‘yan ng tama in cooperation with the right agencies, lalo na ang pulisya,” Bondoc said.

To recall, during the Duterte administration, he was one of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Board of Directors.

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