Monday, February 17, 2025
HomeNewsPhilippinesSpecial Class of BPO confirmed as exempt from POGO ban

Special Class of BPO confirmed as exempt from POGO ban

Special Class Business Process Outsourcing (SCBPO) companies have once again been confirmed as exempt from the scope of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) ban.

According to legal expert Tonet Quiogue, this clarification followed an inspection by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) of special class BPO facilities on Friday, December 20th.

The inspection aimed to identify any suspected illegal POGOs operating under the guise of legitimate BPOs.

Tonet described the clarification as a “significant development that reinforces this position and provides the clarity the industry has long sought.”

The inspection included the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Alejandro H. Tengco, accompanied by key members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Executive Order 74—such as DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano, and representatives from the PAOCC, AMLA, Securities and Exchange Commission, Bureau of Immigration, DOLE, and other agencies. They visited two of the largest SCBPOs in the Philippines.

During the visit, Tonet shared, the delegation observed firsthand how SCBPOs operate as regular BPO companies, providing essential services to legitimate gaming companies abroad.

Secretary Remulla emphasized that SCBPOs represent the “good side of gaming, the one that provides good jobs to people and is not involved in scams.” He assured that SCBPOs will not be subject to raids or disruptions, stressing that enforcement agencies are focusing on facilitating the exit of POGOs and other entities explicitly covered by EO 74.

Despite the looming deadline for the ban imposed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the PAOCC has identified 100 suspected guerrilla POGOs still operating across the Philippines.

PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz stated that enforcement efforts will be ramped up in January, focusing on inspecting hotels, resorts, and residential subdivisions suspected of harboring small illegal POGO hubs.

Viviana Chan
Viviana Chanhttps://agbrief.com/
Viviana Chan is an editor, interpreter, and journalist. With over a decade of experience, she writes in English, Chinese, and Portuguese. Viviana started her career in Macau-based newspapers, where she became passionate about the region's social, financial, and cultural development. Her writing focuses on the economy, emerging industries, gaming development, political affairs, and cross cultural-exchange in the business and cultural domains. She is avid for news and eager to discover and cover stories that generate public relevance.

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