Capil: Suspension is political, not about POGO

Porac Mayor Jaime “Jing” Capil has dismissed his recent six-month suspension as politically motivated, asserting that it has less to do with the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) issue and more to do with the upcoming local elections. His statement follows a clearance from the House Committee on Games and Amusements (Quadcom), which found no direct evidence linking him to the operations of the controversial Lucky South 99 gaming hub in Porac.

“Our suspension is more political motivation than the POGO issue,” Capil said, responding to criticisms from aspiring mayor Mike Tapang. Capil argued that the Quadcom clearance should have ended allegations tying him to the illegal gaming operations but acknowledged that other government agencies continue to investigate the matter.

Tapang, however, downplayed the significance of the Quadcom decision, calling it a “letter obviously requested” by Capil to support his reelection bid. He emphasized that the clearance does not affect ongoing cases filed against Capil by the Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Justice (DOJ), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The Ombudsman previously suspended Capil, Vice Mayor Francis Laurence Tamayo, and other local officials for alleged gross neglect of duty, citing their failure to stop Lucky South 99’s operations despite its revoked license. Meanwhile, graft complaints against Capil and nine others remain pending before the DOJ, questioning how the gaming hub secured its business permit despite alleged irregularities.

Quadcom chair Rep. Robert Ace Barbers clarified that while the committee found no direct involvement by Capil, its clearance does not stop further investigations. “The clearance issued to Mayor Capil is without prejudice to the investigations that other government agencies may conduct and the cases that may be filed against him should evidence warrant,” Barbers stated.

According to Quadcom’s findings, Capil’s administration only issued a business permit to Lucky South 99 when it was still licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). Once the gaming hub’s PAGCOR license was revoked, no further permits were issued, and no evidence was found linking Capil to its continued operations.

Capil’s camp maintains that his suspension is a political ploy ahead of the 2025 elections. His spokesperson argued that rival politicians are using the POGO controversy to discredit his leadership and weaken his reelection campaign. “This is no longer about POGO. This is about politics,” the spokesperson said.

Tapang, however, dismissed Capil’s claims of political persecution, insisting that the legal cases remain unresolved. “This is not about politics; this is about accountability,” he said, urging the public to closely examine Capil’s record instead of relying on the Quadcom clearance.

With the 2025 elections approaching, the POGO controversy remains a key issue in Porac’s political landscape. While Capil fights to defend his name, his opponents continue to raise concerns about the unresolved legal cases—a battle that may ultimately be decided by the Ombudsman, DOJ, and other investigating agencies .

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