MANILA, Philippines – The Senate has passed on third and final reading the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, a landmark measure that seeks to dismantle the legal framework supporting Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) amid mounting evidence of criminality, corruption, and human trafficking tied to the industry.
The measure tightens corporate registration requirements, imposes harsher penalties on complicit government officials, and strengthens deportation procedures to prevent fugitives from slipping through layovers or transfer points.
Beyond enforcement, the law also accelerates the state’s power to repurpose assets seized from criminal enterprises. Under the bill, properties confiscated from POGO-linked crimes may now be reallocated more quickly to support victims and fund rehabilitation programs.
While the Anti-POGO Act does not retroactively cancel existing licenses, its implementation sends a clear message: the Philippine government is taking steps—at least on paper—to end what many lawmakers and human rights groups have described as a “national security threat.”
For years, POGOs operated in legal gray areas, providing billions in revenue while also becoming hotspots for illicit activity—from torture and illegal detention to bribery, cyberfraud, and human trafficking.
Senators who supported the bill noted that the economic cost of POGOs has far outweighed their contributions. “This is not just about law enforcement; it’s about reclaiming our institutions from systemic abuse,” said senator Gatchalian during interpellations.
The law still awaits House concurrence and the President’s signature before it can be enacted. But for anti-POGO advocates, it marks a crucial step toward ending the impunity that has allowed the industry to thrive unchecked for years.