Porac mayor sacked over POGO

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed Mayor Jaime Capil of Porac, Pampanga for allegedly failing to stop the operation of an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in his jurisdiction.

In a ruling dated April 3, the ombudsman said Capil was found guilty of gross neglect of duty for failing to stop the operation of the Lucky South 99, which was raided by agents of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission in June last year.

Aside from dismissal, the ombudsman disqualified Capil from holding any government post, canceled his eligibility and forfeited his retirement benefits.

In a statement, Capil said he would appeal the ombudsman’s decision. He said he would push through with his re-election bid in the May 12 polls.

“I and my family are saddened, but we will face this challenge. I believe in true justice. We have legal remedies under the law and I am ready to fight for truth and justice,” Capil said.

In the same ruling, the ombudsman dismissed the administrative charges filed against 10 other respondents – Vice Mayor Francis Laurence Tamayo and Councilors Rohner Buan, Rafael Canlapan, Adrian Carreon, Regin Clarete, Essel Joy David, Hilario Dimalanta, Michelle Santos and John Nuevy Venzon as well as business permit and licensing office officer-in-charge Emerald Vital – for lack of evidence.

In October 2024, the ombudsman suspended Capil and his co-respondents for six months pending results of an investigation being conducted against them.

The complaint stemmed from the allegedly anomalous grant of permits to the Lucky South 99, where 207 workers, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Myanmar nationals as well as Filipinos were arrested.

The workers were reportedly subjected to physical abuse by operators of the POGO hub, which was accused of engaging in cybercrimes, prostitution and illegal drug activities.

The ombudsman found Capil liable for allowing the Lucky South 99 to operate from 2021 to 2023 despite the lack of a letter of no objection to operate or LONO from the municipal council and permit from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

State prosecutors said Capil did not stop the operation of the Lucky South 99 despite notices from the Philippine National Police about suspected criminal activities at the POGO hub.