The House of Representatives Committee on Games and Amusement approved House Bill No. 10987 or the Anti-Offshore Gaming Operations Act.
The House Committee on Games and Amusement has taken a step towards ending the operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country by approving a bill aimed at banning these establishments. The approval of House Bill No. 10987 on November 19, 2024, marks a major move in the ongoing efforts to curb illegal activities linked to POGOs, including drug trafficking and extrajudicial killings.
House Bill No. 10987 or the Anti-Offshore Gaming Operations Act is a consolidation of several proposed measures including HB Nos. 10725, 10636, and 10525. It seeks to permanently halt all POGO-related activities across the Philippines. Lawmakers from various parties, including the Makabayan bloc, have been at the forefront of this initiative, driven by concerns over the negative impact of POGOs on society and national security.
One of the primary concerns driving the push for a POGO ban is the potential for these operations to evolve into other illegal businesses or “mutations” that could further harm the country’s social fabric. The measure’s sponsors argue that the government must act decisively to prevent the return of similar illegal establishments in the future. The bill aims to close any loopholes that would allow POGO-like operations to continue under a different guise.
Deputy Minority Leader France Castro, who sponsored HB 10525 for the ACT Teachers party-list, emphasized that POGOs had been a blight on the Rodrigo Duterte administration, serving as a key part of its controversial drug war and associated human rights abuses. Castro pointed out that the proliferation of POGOs during the previous administration contributed to the nation's ongoing problems with crime and violence, including extrajudicial killings. She called for the complete repeal of Republic Act No. 11590, also known as the POGO Act, and other related regulations. According to Castro, these laws had inadvertently provided legal cover for illegal activities tied to POGO operations.
“Along with extrajudicial killings in the fake war on drugs and against critics, POGO is a reeking legacy of the Duterte administration—a legacy that we should completely end, learn from and demand accountability for,” Castro was quoted as saying in an Inquirer report. She further argued that the government should take responsibility for the consequences of the rapid growth of POGOs, which became a major issue under Duterte's administration.
In addition to its criminal associations, POGOs have been linked to various issues including human trafficking and labor exploitation. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and other government agencies have struggled to regulate the industry, which involved thousands of foreign workers and contributed to rising levels of crime and corruption in certain areas.
During the House hearing, Pio Rodulfo III, legal division officer of the Bureau of Immigration, reported that following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s July announcement of the POGO ban, a total of 21,757 foreign workers employed by POGOs have had their work visas downgraded to tourist visas. Of these, 10,821 workers have already left the country. The BI had urged the foreign workers to voluntarily apply for the downgrade to tourist visas, which would allow them to remain legally in the country until the December 31, 2024 deadline for the cessation of all POGO operations.
However, those who do not comply with the government’s directives will face deportation and a possible blacklist, which would prevent them from returning to the Philippines in the future. This significant move is part of the broader effort to dismantle the POGO industry and eliminate the illegal activities associated with it.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has been proactive in addressing the impact of the POGO ban on Filipino workers. Over 27,790 Filipino workers are expected to be directly affected by the closure of POGOs, with an additional 2,777 workers facing indirect job losses due to the shutdown. During the House committee meeting, DOLE officials assured lawmakers that various programs were in place to help affected workers transition to new employment opportunities.
To date, more than 36,000 employment permits for foreign workers associated with licensed POGOs have been revoked. The Bureau of Local Employment has been working to help displaced workers find new jobs through employment facilitation programs. DOLE representatives expressed their commitment to helping these workers transition smoothly and avoid long-term unemployment.
As of November 18, 2024, a total of 27 out of 43 Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) were still in operation or in the process of winding down their activities. This indicates that there is still significant work to be done before the POGO industry is completely dismantled. However, with the passage of HB No. 10987, the Philippine government has set a firm deadline for the cessation of all POGO-related operations by the end of 2024.
Read related article: Philippine Senate Committee Endorses Bill Outlawing POGOs
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