MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has justified his decision to allow gambling activities such as the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) to continue despite the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the country needed more funds to address the health crisis.
Duterte admitted that he was initially opposed to the operation of gambling activities at this time. Until the country ran out of funds due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Di ba nung Presidente akong bago ayoko ng sugal, I never allowed it. But pagdating ng pandemic, naubos ang pera natin. Ang reserba natin nagamit natin lahat to contain the virus from rampaging all throughout the country,” Duterte said in a tape…
Keep on reading: Duterte justifies letting gambling operations resume: We ran out of funds due to pandemic