Following the 2024 police raids on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) in Porac, Pampanga, and Bamban, Tarlac, 46 buildings constructed on an eight-hectare prime property in Porac remain abandoned. The structures, located near a golf course, were originally owned by Chinese investors. The municipal government of Porac was expected to become the beneficial owner, but doubts persist. Similarly, buildings in Bamban face an uncertain future.
National Housing Authority Interest and Deterioration Risk
The National Housing Authority (NHA) previously expressed interest in acquiring the properties, but no further announcements have been made. If left unoccupied and unattended, the buildings will inevitably deteriorate. Frankie Villanueva, former president of the City College of Angeles (CCA), proposed repurposing them as school buildings to address the acute room shortage at CCA.
City College of Angeles Room Shortage
According to Villanueva, every school year, thousands of students who pass entrance exams are not accommodated due to insufficient classrooms. The Porac buildings could serve as a branch of CCA, but access is problematic: the only entrance is via Angeles City, requiring a 12-kilometer detour from Porac. Villanueva suggested that the provincial government or Angeles City could shoulder the costs to transform the site into an educational facility.
Senate Impeachment Trial Looming
Meanwhile, the Senate is set to convene as an impeachment court in July or August to try Vice President Sara Duterte over alleged mishandling of public funds. The trial will be closely watched, though many observers express skepticism about the prosecution's integrity. Columnist Tony Lopez wrote in the Philippine Star: 'Our own senate is a house of corruption; at least half of the 24 senators—a quorum—are guilty of the most severe form of corruption. Our congress itself is the Philippines’ biggest criminal syndicate.'
