As Philippines targets more Pogo figures, can Marcos regain public trust?

The flood-control scandal has a bigger impact on the Philippine president’s approval rating than any anti-Pogo moves, analysts say

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Harry Roque, a spokesman for ex-Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, talks to journalists outside the International Criminal Court ahead of Duterte’s hearing in The Hague in March. Photo: AFP

Published: 12:00pm, 27 Nov 2025Updated: 6:14pm, 27 Nov 2025

A travel ban imposed by the Philippines on two figures tied to its notorious offshore gaming industry marks the latest bid by President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s administration to project toughness and reclaim public trust.

But analysts say that the deepening flood-control scandal – involving the alleged misuse of billions of pesos – remains the true barometer of political fortunes in Manila.

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday confirmed the cancellation of passports belonging to Harry Roque, former spokesman for ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, and Cassandra Li Ong, a known associate of former Bamban mayor Alice Guo.

The decision came just days after Guo – a key figure linked to the Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) industry – was convicted of human trafficking and sentenced to life imprisonment.

While many Filipinos are likely to welcome a tougher stance against those connected to the now-banned Pogos, public concern continues to centre on the vast sums allegedly siphoned from flood-mitigation projects, analysts say.

Roque and Ong have been charged with human trafficking in connection with Lucky South 99, a Pogo-linked compound where authorities last year rescued nearly 200 workers in a raid that uncovered evidence of torture, forced labour and large-scale scam operations.

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