Senate Bill No. 2868, also known as the “Anti-POGO Act,” is under consideration for second reading in the Philippine Senate.
A Philippine senator is pushing for the passage of a law aimed at penalizing offshore gaming companies linked to criminal activities. Senator Risa Hontiveros called for the swift approval of the Anti-POGO Act, which seeks to address crimes associated with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and the illegal use of properties by these entities.
“I hope the year 2025 is the year we finally pass the Anti-POGO Act,” Senator Hontiveros said in a statement cited by BusinessWorld. “We need a comprehensive law to ensure that no POGO scams, harms, or deceives many people.”
Senate Bill No. 2868, or the Anti-POGO Act, is currently pending second reading in the Senate. Its counterpart bill in the House of Representatives has already passed the committee level. The proposed legislation comes amid growing concerns over POGO operations and their alleged ties to organized crime.
Organized Crime and POGO Shutdown
The push for the Anti-POGO Act coincides with the government’s intensified efforts to eliminate POGO-related activities. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. previously issued an executive order banning POGOs due to their links to crimes such as human trafficking. During his third State of the Nation Address, President Marcos emphasized the need to shut down POGOs by the end of the year.
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco reported significant progress in this endeavor. He noted that the number of operational POGOs had dropped to 17 as of December, a sharp decline from the 298 licensed operators in 2019.
Role of the Solicitor General
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra has also taken steps to address issues arising from POGO activities. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Mr. Guevarra revealed that his office has been actively canceling fraudulent birth certificates used by foreign nationals. These documents are often linked to organized crime syndicates operating within the country.
Guevarra pointed out that the OSG’s post-POGO tasks include forfeiting illegally acquired real properties and other assets in the Philippines. He emphasized the importance of identifying and neutralizing schemes used by POGO operators to exploit legal loopholes.
Human Trafficking Victim Support
Senator Hontiveros also stressed the need for the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to seize properties illegally utilized by POGOs. “These properties should then be used as reparation for human trafficking victim-survivors, as stated in the Anti-Financial Account and Scamming Act,” she said.
The senator had previously introduced an amendment to the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act. This amendment includes provisions for the civil forfeiture of all assets of individuals involved in economic sabotage. Under the law, the Supreme Court would create rules for implementing this measure, including allocating a portion of the seized assets to the Department of Justice. These funds would be used to support and protect human trafficking victims.
“I am sure there are still foreigners out there using Philippine birth certificates in the wrong way, so I hope they can be identified and punished by law,” Senator Hontiveros added. “Let us be vigilant about efforts of POGO criminals to obtain Filipino citizenship by whatever means.”
Legislative and Legal Measures
The Anti-POGO Act is designed to establish stringent regulations and penalties for POGO operators linked to crimes. It aims to ensure that these entities cannot exploit Philippine laws to perpetrate illegal activities. Additionally, the bill seeks to strengthen the government’s capacity to combat crimes associated with offshore gaming operations.
Senator Hontiveros believes that the passage of the law will send a strong message to those seeking to exploit the country’s resources and institutions. She also emphasized the importance of protecting Filipinos from scams and crimes facilitated by offshore gaming operators.
Read related article: Landlords Warned Over Rentals To Now-Illegal POGOs
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