PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority administrator Joseph Donato Bernedo will set the facts straight before the House of Representatives quad committee this Friday, September 27 regarding the alleged involvement of one of its locators in the illegal POGO industry.
In a chance interview, Bernedo said that they have worked hard to establish investors and locators inside the sprawling industrial estate in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental that was created in the 1970s for the benefit of retired soldiers and the general public.
Bernedo said he is heeding the Lower House’s invitation to set the record straight and protect the integrity of Phividec and its locators.
The Lower House quad committee has been investigating the illegal POGO hubs in the country the past several weeks now.
When Cagayan de Oro-based Chinese national Tony Yang was nabbed by immigration authorities a few days ago, Phividec’s name was dragged into the illegal POGO mess after allegations surfaced that Yang is a major shareholder of a locator that purportedly serves as conduit to a POGO hub in CDO.
POGOs are offshore online gaming operation operated by the Chinese but the government claimed that they are just fronts for illegal activities.
In another development, Bernedo quashed off all speculations that he is running for any elective post in the midterm election next year.
Bernedo, husband of presidential sister Aimee Marcos, said he would continue serving as Phividec administrator at the pleasure of the President.
“Good luck to all politicians who will be running in CDO,” Bernedo said.
