Sen. Risa Hontiveros Speaks on Decision of Senate Panel over POGO Hearings
RISA HONTIVEROS – The Senator spoke on the hearings set over the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the Senate.
The issue about the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operations in the Philippines has hooked countless Filipinos and gained different reactions from the people. It has been months now since dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is linked to illegal POGO operations in her town.
Several Senate hearings have been conducted regarding the illegal POGO operations. Amid several complaints including those that question her identity, Guo was able to depart the Philippines. The government alerted the foreign authorities and Alice Guo was arrested in Indonesia.
Guo claimed that she was thinking of returning to the Philippines before she got arrested in Indonesia. The Indonesian authorities turned her over to the Philippine authorities. She was initially detained in the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Facility. She occupied the same detention room that was occupied by former Senator Leila de Lima.
A non-bailable case was filed against the former Bamban Mayor and she was moved to Pasig City Jail where she shares a regular cell with six (6) inmates. The authorities escort her to the Senate or the House of Representatives whenever there is a hearing.
In the inquiries, Guo continuously deny that she is a Chinese. She also denied being on top of the illegal POGO operations and there were executive sessions where the lawmakers confirmed that she made revelations.
Recently, after several months of going in-depth on the POGOs in the country, Sen. Risa Hontiveros spoke on the decision of the Senate panel. Based on a report on GMA News, Hontiveros stressed that the panel has decided that its next hearing will be the last.
“As of now desidido na kami na huli na ang sunod na pagdinig, dahil mabubuo na namin kasama ung Al Jazeera report kasama na rin pagaresto kay Lyu Dong,” the lawmaker said.
According to Sen. Risa Hontiveros, they will ask from the court handling the case of Lyu Dong to allow him to attend the next Senate hearing. Based on the report, the panel wants to ask him about his connection to dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo.
Lyu Dong is accused as the alleged big boss of the Lucky South 99 POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga. The authorities arrested him at a subdivision in Laguna. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission or PAOCC identified him as allegedly one of the first POGO bosses in the Philippines.
“Sa mga susunod na linggo, ito ang titignan namin nang mas malalim para buuin ang mga tanong kay Lyu Dong at iba pang resource person,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said.
Previously, Alice Guo’s camp expressed an intent for her to run for re-election in Bamban. On the last day of the filing of candidacy, at the hearing, Alice Guo revealed why she will not run in the 2025 Elections.