Former PNP chief Acorda appointed PAOCC executive director

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. appointed former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. as the new executive director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

Acorda took his oath before President Marcos Jr. at Malacañang Palace on Thursday, October 16, 2025, replacing Gilberto Cruz.

Cruz's tenure at the PAOCC was marked by major operations against illegal scam and gaming syndicates, including a nationwide crackdown on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

The PAOCC also played a role in the arrest and detention of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, who has been linked to POGO-related activities.

The commission also began a campaign against illegal online lending apps in June 2024, responding to over 13,000 public complaints.

Established in 2000, the PAOCC leads government efforts to identify and prosecute organized crime groups and corrupt officials.

It also coordinates with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to dismantle syndicates involved in trafficking, fraud, and cybercrime.