Senator Risa Hontiveros alleged that certain government officials are advising Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) on how to 'disguise' in order to continue their illegal operations.

Hontiveros made this revelation as the deadline for the shutdown of POGOs in the country approaches, in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive.

She also mentioned that her office received information indicating that government officials are directly advising POGOs to register as legitimate businesses.

These include registering as a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firm, a restaurant, resorts, or a KTV bar, with POGO operations continuing in the background.

This was demonstrated by a raid on a restaurant and KTV bar in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, which were found to be fronts for a POGO.

With this, Hontiveros reiterated that local government units (LGUs) have a responsibility, as a list of known POGO locations was sent to them after the ban was announced during the State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Additionally, she mentioned that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has been notified to use the visitorial and inspection powers of local government units (LGUs) to ensure that no POGOs are operating within their jurisdictions and that no legitimate businesses are being used as fronts for POGO operations.

She pointed out the connections between the Bamban POGO hub and the Porac POGO hub, as well as between the Porac POGO hub and the Cebu POGO hub, in terms of interlocking directorates and former employees from Porac being relocated to Cebu.

"So 'yung tanong na sino o sino-sino ang mga big fish ay live question pa rin at susubukan naming tumbukin at maisara sa susunod at huling pagdinig," said Hontiveros.

The Senate is set to conclude and close its investigation into POGOs in the country during a hearing scheduled for November 26.