Senator Migz Zubiri has admitted he regrets voting in favor of the law that legalized Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) in the country.
Republic Act No. 11590, signed by then-President Rodrigo Duterte, aimed to generate revenue through a 5% gaming tax on licensed POGO services and a 25% withholding tax on foreign workers.
The law earmarked 60% of proceeds to fund the Universal Health Care Law at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an interview on The Big Story on One News, Zubiri reflected on the decision, saying it ultimately harmed the country’s reputation internationally.
“Sometimes we make mistakes in legislation, we look back, and we regret it,” Zubiri said.
The senator has since filed a bill seeking a total ban on online gambling, warning the Marcos administration not to repeat the same mistake with the growing online betting industry.