President Rodrigo Duterte defended  the Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), as he stressed that the Chinese nationals have a “clean” record, and employ around 20,000  of Filipino workers.

The President, in a speech before local executives in Pasay City, stressed that  there is no “dirty money” involved in POGOs.

He said  POGOs are  monitored by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

“I will assure you under my oath of office as President of the Republic as elected by you, ‘yang POGO na ‘yan insofar as kami dito, malinis ‘yan,” Duterte said.

“Laro lang ‘yan para sa kanila but it employs something like 20,000 sa Maynila. Walang pera diyan, diretso sa PAGCOR,” said Duterte.

Duterte earlier insisted that there is “no corruption” in the POGO industry despite several exposes by different senators regarding their involvement in illegal activities.

Malacañang also said that Duterte is unlikely to shut down POGO operations in the country because he is “satisfied” with the revenue they generate./Stacy Ang