CIBAC Party-List Rep. Bro. Eddie Villanueva lauds the enactment of Republic Act No. 12312, or the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, which officially bans and declares illegal all offshore gaming operations in the Philippines, including related service providers and hubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new law, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., repeals Republic Act No. 11590, which previously allowed the taxation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As principal author of the measure, Rep. Villanueva emphasized that the passage of this law marks a long-awaited moral and social victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrom the very beginning, we have warned that POGOs are not just an economic concern\u2014they are a social menace,\u201d he said. \u201cBehind the revenues are stories of human trafficking, money laundering, and broken lives. This law finally puts an end to that deception.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Anti-POGO Act includes the following key provisions:
\u2029A total ban on all forms of offshore gaming operations, including service providers, hubs, and related businesses;\u2029<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Revocation of all existing POGO licenses, permits, and accreditations previously issued by PAGCOR, freeport authorities, or other agencies;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
2. Cancellation of work permits and visas for all individuals engaged in offshore gaming, with deportation for foreign nationals;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
3. Inclusion of POGO-related violations as predicate crimes under the Anti-Money Laundering Act and as human trafficking offenses under the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
4. Creation of a Filipino Workers\u2019 Transition Program, through DOLE and TESDA, to assist displaced workers through reskilling and employment support; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
5. Establishment of an Administrative Oversight Committee led by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), DOJ, DICT, and DILG to monitor implementation and compliance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

   Rep. Villanueva also highlighted the bill\u2019s broader moral implications. \u201cWe cannot build a nation on addiction, vice, and greed. This law reaffirms that we value human dignity over easy money,\u201d he said. \u201cAng perang galing sa sugal ay perang may sumpa. Gambling destroys families, corrodes values, and invites corruption\u2014and this law finally says: enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   The CIBAC solon reiterates its full commitment to ensuring the law\u2019s faithful implementation and to advancing complementary measures such as the anti-online gambling bill which he is also pushing in Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cOur stand remains clear: we will fight every form of gambling that preys on human weakness and undermines our nation\u2019s moral foundation. we need to promote among our people the culture of hard work and industry which is a more reliable and God-approved path to better life,\u201d Rep. Villanueva concluded. #<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

   CIBAC Party-List Rep. Bro. Eddie Villanueva lauds the enactment of Republic Act No. 12312, or the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, which officially bans and declares illegal all offshore gaming operations in the Philippines, including related service providers and hubs. The new law, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., repeals Republic Act No. 11590, which previously […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"templates\/template-cover.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-press-release"],"yoast_head":"\n