House Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Ernix Dionisio Jr. of Manila urged voters to reject candidates in the May 12 elections linked to the banned Philippine offshore gambling operators (POGOs).
In a press briefing, Dionisio said there are aspirants for public office “who are apparently enjoying support from POGOs so they can protect their benefactors.”
“The problem we are facing today involves the same individuals linked illegal gambling in POGOs. They’re trying to get into the government. They want to enter the government to protect their illegal activities,” Tolentino noted.
“That’s why I really salute and commend President Bongbong R. Marcos Jr. that he banned POGO, he banned those gambling. But we should really help the President that we the voters be smart. Let’s not let these people enter the government,” he added.
Dionisio expressed beliefs that the President’s decision to ban the POGOs was one of the reasons for the delisting of the country in the money laundering watch-list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
For his part, House Minority Leader Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the Quad Comm inquiry into the POGOs and criminal activities associated with them is another factor that hastened the country’s removal from the FATF watch-list.
Introducing members of his Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial ticket to his province-mates in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte last Feb. 11, President Marcos appealed to voters not to support candidates linked to the previous administration, though he did not mention former President Rodrigo Duterte by name.
