GMA News
Anti-POGO bill can be approved before 19th Congress ends – Gatchalian
A bill has been filed in the House of Representatives to enforce President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive for a total ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).
The proposed "Anti-Offshore Gaming Operations Act" (House Bill No. 10987) aims to outlaw Pogos and revoke all existing Pogo hub contracts.
The bill explicitly states that all licenses and franchises issued by regulatory bodies like Pagcor, Ceza, Apeco, and Afab for offshore gaming will be considered withdrawn, revoked, or canceled.
These government agencies are prohibited from issuing any new licenses or permits for offshore gaming operations in the Philippines.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian believes the anti-POGO bill can be signed into law by President Marcos Jr. before the 19th Congress ends in June 2025.
A technical working group is set to convene to prioritize the measure, which Gatchalian describes as a simple formality following the President's pronouncement.
President Marcos cited scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and murder as reasons for the POGO ban.
Topics in this story
Explore more stories about these topics.
🤖
This story was generated by AI to help you understand the key points. For more detailed coverage, please see the news articles from trusted media outlets below.
News Sources
See how different news organizations are covering this story. Below are the original articles from various Philippine news sources that contributed to this summary.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) reports that operational Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) facilities have decreased to approximately 100, with many shifting to "micro-units" operating underground.
+3
Read more →
Newly-appointed Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla vows to shut down all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) by December 15.
Read more →
Leaders of a House quad-committee have filed two bills aimed at penalizing extrajudicial killings (EJKs) by classifying them as heinous crimes and institutionalizing a nationwide ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Read more →
Senator Risa Hontiveros announced that alleged POGO godfather Lyu Dong, arrested on October 10, will be invited to the final Senate hearing on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.
Read more →
Philippine authorities arrested Lyu Dong, identified as a "kingpin" or "godfather" of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), in Biñan City, Laguna on Thursday night, October 10.
+1
Read more →