Latest news with #POGO
GMA Network
5 hours ago
- General
- GMA Network
Senate OKs anti-POGO bill on second reading
The Senate approved on second reading a bill banning Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country. Senate Bill 2868 or the Anti-POGO Bill, declared offshore gaming operations in the Philippines as unlawful. 'I look forward na ma adopt na ito ng Senado yung batas po at yung committee report, I really felt na ito ay one-two power punch against POGO,' said Senator Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality. Among the amendments in the measure are the Bureau of Immigration's mandate to deport foreign nationals directly back to their country. Meanwhile, maximum penalties were imposed on government officials found engaging in POGO-related activities. In 2024, authorities discovered some POGO hubs engaging in human trafficking and physical and sexual abuse. This includes POGO hubs in Bambam, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga. This led to the arrest of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, also identified as Guo Hua Ping, Guo, for alleged involvement in the illegal activities of a POGO hub in her town. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chinese CFO arrested in the Philippines amid embezzlement accusations: Trial Balance
This story was originally published on To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily newsletter. The Trial Balance is weekly preview of stories, stats and events to help you prepare. A Chinese national identified only as Ziwén, 37, was arrested on May 28 in Makati City for allegedly embezzling hundreds of millions of Philippine pesos from a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator where he served as CFO. Authorities have not disclosed the company's name, consistent with common practice in the Philippines where corporate identities are often withheld during active investigations. However, a local news outlet was given exclusive access to the arrest. Ziwén, who told police he was unaware of the charges, declined to comment to local media, stating he would consult his lawyer. Reports indicate he now faces 18 counts of qualified theft tied to an estimated 181 million pesos in missing funds, equivalent to about $3.2 million. Reports suggest the total may exceed 1 billion pesos, or roughly $17.9 million, when including diverted cash and cryptocurrency assets allegedly transferred to wallets under his control. The POGO, now shut down, was part of a sector that facilitates online bets for overseas clients from inside the Philippines, often targeting Chinese gamblers barred from such activity in their home country. The case adds to growing scrutiny of the POGO industry, which is in the midst of a crackdown by authorities in both the Philippines and China. The POGO industry and its structure has long faced criticism for weak regulatory oversight, suspected money laundering and links to transnational criminal networks. Here's a list of important market events slated for the week ahead. Monday, June 2 S&P final U.S. manufacturing PMI, May ISM manufacturing, May Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan speech Tuesday, June 3 Factory orders, April Job openings, April Wednesday, June 4 ADP employment, May S&P final U.S. services PMI, May ISM services, May Fed Beige Book Thursday, June 5 Initial jobless claims, week of May 31 U.S. trade deficit, April U.S. productivity, Q1 Friday, June 6 U.S. employment report, May U.S. unemployment rate, May On June 5, will publish a Q&A with Sudhanshu Priyadarshi, CFO of Keurig Dr Pepper. He breaks down how the company is navigating areas like tariffs and new health regulations across the globe, finance's role in managing a global supply chain, why it's important for CFOs to be able to tell stories about their data and more. Recommended Reading CFO crimes, litigation, financial control failures, ethics violations and more Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
LifeLabs partners with POGO to support their ongoing mission of helping Ontario children with cancer
Members of LifeLabs' team gather to deliver donation to partners at Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO). Toronto, Ontario, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LifeLabs, Canada's leading medical laboratory, is proud to announce its continued partnership with the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) to support Canadian children with cancer and their families. As part of this collaboration, LifeLabs donated $10,000, and gathered many senior leadership team members to come together and create care packages for children supported by POGO at their POGO Satellite Clinics in community hospitals in Ontario. 'At POGO, we know there is nothing more devastating for a family than a childhood cancer diagnosis,' said Shannon Caskey, Chief Development Officer and Director of Communications at POGO. 'While they adjust to their new reality, acts of kindness can provide much-needed comfort during an incredibly difficult time. We are grateful to LifeLabs and their leadership team for creating care packages that will bring comfort to children undergoing treatment at our eight POGO Satellite Clinics across Ontario. LifeLabs continued commitment to children with cancer, survivors, and their families is commendable, and we're grateful for their partnership that helps ensure children receive the best care and support for the best possible outcomes.' As a trusted healthcare provider, LifeLabs understands the importance of supporting the communities it serves. The company is committed to making a positive impact and continues to work alongside POGO to improve the lives of Canadians and strengthen community partnerships. 'LifeLabs and POGO share a rich history of collaboration, driven by our mutual goals of fostering a sense of community and improving lives,' said Charles Brown, President and CEO at LifeLabs. 'This donation is just the latest example of our commitment to supporting initiatives that make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most. By continuing to support POGO's important work, we are reinforcing our dedication to giving back and building stronger, healthier communities.' LifeLabs' partnership with POGO started in 2017 and has made significant contributions towards POGO initiatives, underscoring their ongoing commitment to making a meaningful impact. This latest donation reaffirms LifeLabs' role as a socially responsible company that is committed to nurturing teamwork and making a difference in the communities it serves. Through initiatives like this partnership with POGO, LifeLabs continues to demonstrate its dedication to supporting those in need and spreading hope and positivity. About LifeLabs LifeLabs is Canada's leading provider of laboratory diagnostic information and digital health connectivity systems, enabling patients and healthcare practitioners to diagnose, treat, monitor and prevent disease. We are a committed innovator in supporting Canadians to live healthier lives, operating Canada's first commercial genetics lab, and the country's largest online patient portal, with more than 8 million Canadians receiving their results online. LifeLabs has been named one of Canada's Best Employers (2021, 2022 and 2023) and Best Employers for Diversity (2022, 2023 and 2024) by Forbes, named by BrandSpark as the Most Trusted Brand in medical diagnostic services voted by Canadians (2023 and 2024) and recognized for having an award-winning Mental Health Program from Benefits Canada. Learn more at About POGO The Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) is the official fundraising partner of the Pediatric Oncology Program at hospitals across Ontario. POGO supports children with cancer and their families by providing financial assistance, education, and resources to help improve the quality of life for children with cancer and their families. Attachment Members of LifeLabs' team gather to deliver donation to partners at Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO). CONTACT: Media LifeLabs media@
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PNP coordinating with Interpol for Harry Roque arrest
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is coordinating with the Interpol to arrest former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Cassandra Ong, and others involved in a qualified trafficking in persons case. In a press conference, newly installed PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III said that the communication with the Interpol is a standard action. 'Standard naman 'yun. This is a whole government approach. The Department of Foreign Affairs is cancelling his passport and the other accused so they will not be able to travel freely at sila ay maibalik dito sa bansa,' Torre said. (That's standard. This is a whole government approach. The DFA is canceling his passport and those of the other accused so they will not be able to travel freely and they will be returned to the country.) 'So Interpol is just one of the many mechanisms that we can use and we can harness, we can tap para sa pagbabalik dito, sa repatriation niya dito sa Pilipinas,' he added. (So Interpol is just one of the many mechanisms that we can use, we can harness, we can tap for his return, his repatriation to the Philippines.) The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier said it was already preparing the documents needed to request the issuance of a red notice against Roque by Interpol. Roque and 50 others are subjects of arrest warrants in connection with the illegal activities in POGO hub Lucky South 99 in Pampanga. Two of the accused were already arrested. Roque, who has denied the accusation, is currently seeking asylum in the Netherlands. In a statement, Roque earlier said the issuance of the arrest warrant forms part of the "unjust prosecution," which he intends to note in his asylum application in the Netherlands. Other high-profile wanted persons Asked about other high-profile wanted persons such as former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag who is linked to the murder of broadcaster Percy Lapid in 2022, Torre said the PNP is 'all out' for their capture. 'All out naman tayo diyan sa ating operations against wanted persons. Talagang tuloy-tuloy tayo diyan. Matter of time before we get them. We'll re-examine the base data we have, kung ano ang mga alam na natin sa kanila, at tututukan natin yan,' he said. (We are all out in our operations against wanted persons. We are definitely continuing to do so. It is a matter of time before we get them. We'll re-examine the base data we have, what we already know about them, and we will focus on that.) 'We are really very committed to ensuring that the people hiding from the law will be brought to justice and we will definitely bring them back within the bounds of the law,' he added. Bantag has denied the allegations against him, claiming they were all "fabricated." —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- GMA Network
Another co-accused of Harry Roque, Cassandra Ong arrested
'Mariano', one of co-accused of Harry Roque and Cassandra Ong in a qualified trafficking in persons case, was arrested in Clark, Pampanga May 29, 2025. CIDG Authorities arrested in Pampanga another co-accused of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Cassandra Ong in a qualified trafficking in persons case. The person was identified as "Mariano," one of 49 co-accused of Roque and Ong. Mariano was arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Anti-Organized Crime Unit (CIDG AOCU) in Clark, Pampanga, the CIDG said in a press release issued Saturday. According to the CIDG, Mariano is one of the security guards on duty "when the alleged qualified trafficking in persons happened in Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc., a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Porac, Pampanga." "I urge the other 49 co-accused to surrender yourselves to the CIDG and authorities because the Tracker Teams are pursuing you 24/7 and will catch you anytime soon. Isa-isa na kayong natutunton (We are tracking you one by one)," CIDG Director Police Major General Nicolas Torre III said. The CIDG deployed tracker teams nationwide starting May 15 to serve arrest warrants against Roque, Ong, and several others. Roque and others are the subject of arrest warrants for qualified trafficking in persons in connection with the illegal activities in POGO hub Lucky South 99 in Pampanga. No bail was recommended. The arrest warrants were issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 118, Angeles City, Pampanga on May 15. "The Warrant of Arrest stemmed from the airtight complaint filed by CIDG Anti-Organized Crime Unit (AOCU) against the accused in connection with the implementation of Search Warrants for Violation of Republic Act 9208 (Anti- Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended) in alleged Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs - Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc. in Grand Palazzo Royals, Fil-Am Friendship Hi-way, Brgy. Cutcut, Porac, Angeles City, Pampanga on June 7, 2024," the CIDG said. On May 22, one of the co-accused of Roque and Ong, a man identified as "Marlon", was arrested in an entrapment operation in in Barangay Tabun, Mabalacat City, Pampanga. Marlon was the operation officer of the security agency operating when the qualified trafficking in persons was happening in Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc, the CIDG said. Roque has denied the accusation and said he is not and has never been a legal counsel of any illegal POGO and was neither a counsel of Lucky South 99. He also said that he only accompanied Ong in a meeting previously as he thought she was a victim of estafa. The former presidential spokesperson is currently seeking asylum in the Netherlands. —KG, GMA Integrated News
