MANILA — CIBAC Party-List Representative Bro. Eddie Villanueva hailed the signing of Republic Act No. 12312, or the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, as a historic measure that officially prohibits all forms of offshore gaming operations in the Philippines.

The law, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., effectively outlaws Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and their associated service providers and hubs.

The legislation repeals Republic Act No. 11590, which had previously allowed the government to tax POGO activities. With this repeal, the Philippines takes a definitive stance against offshore gambling, citing its detrimental effects on society.

As the principal author of the measure, Rep. Villanueva hailed the law’s passage as a significant milestone in the country’s moral and social development.

“From the very beginning, we have warned that POGOs are not just an economic concern—they are a social menace,” he said. “Behind the revenues are stories of human trafficking, money laundering, and broken lives. This law finally puts an end to that deception.”

The Anti-POGO Act outlines several key provisions aimed at dismantling the offshore gaming industry:

• A comprehensive ban on all offshore gaming activities, including related service providers and business hubs;
• Immediate revocation of all licenses, permits, and accreditations issued to POGOs by PAGCOR, freeport zones, and other regulatory bodies;
• Cancellation of work permits and visas for individuals involved in offshore gaming, with foreign nationals subject to deportation;
• Classification of POGO-related offenses as predicate crimes under the Anti-Money Laundering Act and as human trafficking violations under the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act;
• Establishment of a Filipino Workers’ Transition Program, led by DOLE and TESDA, to assist displaced workers through skills training and employment support;
• Formation of an Administrative Oversight Committee composed of the PAOCC, DOJ, DICT, and DILG to ensure proper implementation and enforcement of the law.

Rep. Villanueva also underscored the deeper ethical message behind the legislation.

“We cannot build a nation on addiction, vice, and greed. This law reaffirms that we value human dignity over easy money,” he said. “Ang perang galing sa sugal ay perang may sumpa. Gambling destroys families, corrodes values, and invites corruption—and this law finally says: enough.”

He reaffirmed CIBAC’s commitment to upholding the law and pushing for complementary legislation, including his proposed anti-online gambling bill currently pending in Congress.

“Our stand remains clear: we will fight every form of gambling that preys on human weakness and undermines our nation’s 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,” Rep. Villanueva concluded.

📷 CIBAC