The PH government is preparing for the seizure of offshore gaming operation assets as the December 31, 2024 deadline of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lapses.
Following the expiration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s deadline for a ban on Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) at the end of 2024, the Philippine government is preparing for a large-scale inventory and seizure of POGO assets.
The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) announced on January 1, 2025, New Year’s Day, that it will initiate a thorough assessment of these assets, which are suspected to include substantial real estate holdings outside of the capital.
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra outlined the OSG's post-POGO responsibilities, stating, "The OSG’s massive post-POGO tasks will consist of cancelling all certificates of birth fraudulently acquired by aliens/foreign nationals and forfeiting their illegally acquired real properties and other assets in the Philippines."
Guevarra acknowledged that the total value of these assets is currently unknown, emphasizing that the initial focus will be on securing and controlling them. "At this time, we have no definite figures on the aggregate value of these assets. The first order of the day is to take possession of and control over them," he stated.
This move follows congressional investigations that revealed instances of Chinese nationals using falsified birth certificates to obtain Filipino citizenship. This fraudulent activity enabled them to establish corporations and acquire properties, allegedly for illicit purposes such as drug trafficking.
In July 2024, the National Bureau of Investigation disclosed its discovery of nearly 200 counterfeit birth certificates provided to Chinese nationals. These falsifications, dating back to 2018 and 2019, were traced to the civil registry office of a single municipality—Santa Cruz in Davao del Sur.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin previously indicated the government's commitment to expediting the acquisition of seized POGO properties and assets. He noted the existence of forfeiture laws but highlighted the "very slow" nature of the process.
To address this issue, both the Senate and the House of Representatives are considering legislation that would authorize the forfeiture of all POGO assets "in favor of the government."
This proposed measure aims to allow the government to seize buildings, materials, equipment, and proceeds derived from illegal POGO operations. This legislative push signals a determined effort to recoup potential losses and dismantle the infrastructure associated with illegal POGO activities.
Read related article: IACAT Notes "Absence of Provision" for Seized POGO Properties
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