Jessa Mariz Fernandez, head of PAGCOR’s Offshore Gaming Licensing Department, stated that the memo dated July 26 was forged.
She clarified that it was a distorted version of an official memo she issued on July 23, following President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address, where he ordered the phase-out of all POGO operations by the end of 2024.
“We have not issued a memorandum ordering LGUs to immediately close down POGO operations in their jurisdiction because the President’s order is very clear: We have until the end of the year to wind down POGO operations, and we will follow that,” Fernandez said.
“We reiterate, and we advise our LGUs, that licensed IGLs can continue operating until we have determined the process of winding down their operations, which we currently have not yet finalized,” she added.
