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Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday directed the House leadership and top Secretariat officials to come up with and ensure the swift approval of a proposed measure that would give flesh to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to impose a total ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) in the country.
He also gave instructions to continue with the ongoing congressional investigation on the operation of criminal syndicates responsible for illegal activities linked to POGO in order to unmask their masterminds.
“Immediately after the SONA of President Marcos Jr., I met with House leaders and top Secretariat officials last night in my office. I asked them to come up with a proposed legislative measure that will put to a halt all POGO operations in the country effective December 2024 as ordered by the President,” Romualdez said in a news release.
“This, however, will not stop ongoing House investigation on the criminal and other illegal activities linked to POGO. Hopefully, the House can learn from the hearings on their modus operandi and the brains behind these activities as part of inputs for the proposed measure that we will be crafting,” he added.
Romualdez was informed by Secretariat officials that several House bills and resolutions concerning the operations of POGO are now pending before the House Committee on Games and Amusement.
These include House Bill (HB) 5082 filed by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. and HB 10525 filed by Makabayan bloc Reps. France Castro, Arlene Brosas, and Raoul Danniel Manuel.
Also pending at the committee level are House Resolution (HR) 503 filed by Rizal Rep. Juan Fidel Nograles, HR 1197 filed by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, HR 1524 also filed by the Makabayan bloc, and the privilege speech of OFW Partylist Rep. Marissa Magsino.
Romualdez said these measures should be harmonized and should result in the filing of a substitute bill, which is acceptable to all stakeholders who participated in the committee hearings.
“I am requesting all the Committee chairs concerned to give this a priority. For the House Committee on Public Order and Security to submit their comprehensive report and recommendations to the Committee on Games and Amusement as soon as possible. And for the House Committee on Games and Amusement to come up with a committee report for immediate plenary deliberation,” he said.
“I want all bases in the total POGO ban covered in the proposed measure. We have to ensure that the POGO operators will not just resort to guerrilla operators or go undercover. The law must be crafted with iron-clad provisions to prevent a resurrection of these criminal and illegal activities,” he added.
The House leader said a law needs to be enacted to ensure that all anti-POGO measures are institutionalized not only during the administration of President Marcos Jr., but also beyond his term.
“Gusto naming maging legacy ito ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. Sisiguruhin natin na hindi na makakakilos ang mga sindikatong kriminal sa pamamagitan ng POGO at mapapanagot natin sa batas ang mga mastermind at lider ng mga sindikatong ito (We want this to be a legacy of President Marcos. We will ensure that criminal syndicates cannot anymore conduct their activities through POGOs, and make their masterminds and leaders answer to the law),” Romualdez said.
DOLE stawith a report from Benjamin Pulta/Leonel Abasola/PNA)
The IRONMAN 70.3 is set to return to the stunning tropical paradise of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, kicking off the IRONMAN-branded racing season in the Philippines for 2025.
The event is slated for March 2, 2025, and preparations are already in full swing to ensure a smooth, safe and spectacular race.
Registration is now open. For details, visit IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa or contact Sai Aliman-Mayol, Philippine Events, IRONMAN Group, at
Puerto Princesa, renowned for its pristine natural beauty and commitment to preserving its environment, previously hosted this prestigious event back-to-back in 2022 and 2023. John Alcala and Singapore’s Ling Er Choo claimed the inaugural championship titles in 2022, while Satar Salem and Leyann Ramo took top honors last year.
Mayor Lucilo Bayron, who is personally overseeing the preparations, expressed his excitement and honor to host the event again.
“On behalf of Puerto Princesa City, I am very honored that our city paradise will host the third staging of IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa. The global brand known for the highest quality of event organizing will be hosted by the city with unwavering support. We hope the athletes will enjoy their visit here and be amazed by the natural splendor of the Philippines,” he said.
Puerto Princesa, the capital city of Palawan, is often lauded as the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines. It offers a unique blend of urban amenities surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes, including stunning beaches and untouched forested hills.
The city is also home to one of the country's seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, further enhancing its appeal to both participants and spectators.
The return of the IRONMAN 70.3 to Puerto Princesa promises to showcase the best of this vibrant city, attracting top triathletes from the Philippines and around the globe, along with their families and supporters. The event is expected to be a highlight of the triathlon season, with participants eager to experience the unique culture, hospitality and natural beauty of Puerto Princesa.
IRONMAN Philippines director Princess Galura shared her enthusiasm for the event, saying: “We are grateful to the City of Puerto Princesa for hosting the IRONMAN 70.3 once again, and we are excited to open the triathlon season in paradise. We cannot wait to welcome athletes, their families, and spectators to experience the culture and beauty of Puerto Princesa.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has endorsed “experiential tourism” as the country seeks more ways to attract foreign and local visitors to travel around the Philippines.
In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, Marcos said challenges besetting the tourism sector have evolved and “now require a multifaceted strategy.”
“The focus is now on experiential tourism. Food, culture, heritage and the arts, education, halal and Islamic traditions, dive, cruise, farm and eco-tourism, even sports, now have become potent subjects and products of a nation’s tourism,” he said.
He also sought the expansion of the one town, one product (OTOP) concept.
“It must not inhibit, but rather, inspire. We must not rest content to have just one. Rather, we must seek the optimal number of high-quality products and services, which at the same time showcase our community’s distinctive history, traditions, and talents,” he said.
Marcos reaffirmed that he would prioritize tourism, citing its potential to generate more jobs for Filipinos.
Meanwhile, he touted the country’s milestones in the tourism sector, including the shift to paperless immigration and customs forms through the E-Travel system.
“Soon, the piloted E-Gates will be standard fixtures at airports, to further facilitate ease of mobility during departures and arrivals,” he said.
“With all these said, the implementation of the Philippine E-Visa will be next in our digital transformation agenda."
He said the Philippines’ infrastructure and digital reforms, through the development of tourism sites and the enhancement of the overall tourist experience, are “all calculated to boost the productivity of the tourism sector”.
“While doing so, we shall interpose the wholesome and hospitable Filipino brand in all the key tourism touchpoints — from tourist arrival all the way to departure,” he said.
The Marcos administration’s focus on developing tourism has shown remarkable results in the past year.
In 2023, the industry contributed an 8.6 percent share to the gross domestic product, translating to at least PHP2.09 trillion in revenue, the highest in 24 years, according to the Department of Tourism.
Total inbound and domestic visitor receipts, on the other hand, totaled PHP3.367 trillion, showing a 75.3 percent increase from 2022. (From PNA)
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