SENATOR Lito Lapid dared critics to prove his involvement in the operations of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga, which he said tarnished not only his name but also the good name of the municipality.
Lapid expressed his full support to the on-going Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality hearing on POGO-related crimes Wednesday, June 26, 2024 to ferret out the truth behind the real people operating the POGO hub in his hometown.
He also appealed to Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil to cooperate in the Senate investigation and help clear the name of the municipality, which was dragged into the POGO controversy.
“Nangangarap ka na maging city ang Porac after five years. Ang pangarap mo ay pangarap ko din dahil taga Porac ako. Gusto ko po patunayan sa hearing na ito na wala akong kinalaman sa operation ng POGO. Hindi po nakapangalan sa akin ang lupang sampung ektarya diyan sa POGO na iyan. Kung napatunayan nila na kasali ako dyan, pwede akong magresign bilang senador,” the senator said.
In response to the senator’s inquiry, Capil said that neither he nor Lapid owned the 10 hectares of land where the controversial POGO hub, operated by Lucky South 99 Outsourcing, Inc., is located.
