Remulla vows to close all Pogos
Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla vowed on Tuesday to personally shutter Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) still operating by the end of 2024, starting with the ones on Island Cove, which was previously owned by his family until it was sold in 2018.
“That will be the first one to be closed. And correction, it’s not ours. It was our property but it’s not anymore,” the newly-seated official and former Cavite governor said in an interview at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
According to him, he will personally “visit each and every” Pogo to “padlock the premises and make sure that they are closed, each and every one of them.”
“It doesn’t matter if it’s Chinese or Filipinos (running the Pogos). The [President’s] order states that all Pogos must be closed,” Remulla said.
He made the remarks hours after he took his oath as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief before President Marcos in Malacañang.
His oathtaking was witnessed by members of his family, including his older brother, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who broke the news of the appointment on Monday.
Remulla replaced Benjamin Abalos Jr. who will run for senator in the 2025 midterm elections.
No PNP reshuffle
He said he would not be reshuffling key officials in the Philippine National Police for now but he would recommend “structural changes” in the “top-heavy” organization.
“When the President asks, you cannot refuse, you must serve. And it’s been on my mind on what reforms need to be done. I’ve been in local government for 29 years and I’ve seen everything from crooked cops to good cops to good officials to bad officials. I think I know what the reforms and what forward paths should be taken,” he said.
Different skill sets
Remulla also deflected criticism over the fact there were two Remullas occupying key positions in the Marcos administration.
“We bring to the table different skill sets, and I think local government is my forte,” he said.
Remulla added that the biggest challenge facing him as DILG chief was the PNP.
“The rogue cops can be easily dealt with. It’s a matter of enforcement. But the politics is much more difficult. Everyone is trying to find a perfect solution from imperfect people,” he said.
Another concern was how to set up a system of reporting crimes similar to a national 911 system.
“We want to create an integrated approach into reporting incidences all over the country. We’re going to start with the terms of reference tomorrow and we hope to bid it out by June next year,” Remulla said.
