The Philippine government has commenced the enforcement of measures following the closure of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). This initiative stems from a directive issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ban POGO activities.   

Speaking to local media, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said massive post-POGO tasks will consist of cancelling all certificates of birth fraudulently acquired by aliens or foreign nationals and forfeiting their illegally acquired real properties and other assets in the Philippines. The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is tasked with leading efforts to recover illicitly obtained assets and address fraudulent practices associated with the industry.  

Focus on fraudulent birth records  

Guevarra said one of the key responsibilities of the OSG involves cancelling falsified birth certificates obtained by foreign nationals. Investigations have revealed that these fraudulent documents were used to gain Filipino citizenship, facilitating land acquisitions, business formation, and even participation in public office.   

In one notable case, a former municipal mayor was found to be ineligible due to her alleged foreign nationality. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) previously uncovered hundreds of falsified birth records issued by local registries, underscoring the scale of the problem.  

Asset forfeiture and property recovery  

The Solicitor General also said that the OSG will lead efforts to seize real estate and other properties illegally acquired by foreign nationals linked to POGOs. Initial investigations have pointed to extensive holdings outside the capital, with some properties suspected to have been purchased using proceeds from illegal activities, including drug trafficking. The official emphasised that the collaboration with agencies such as the Land Registration Authority (LRA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is essential for thorough enforcement.  

The government has outlined procedures for civil forfeiture, reversion, and escheatment to ensure assets are returned to state control. Civil forfeiture, governed by the Anti-Money Laundering Act, allows the seizure of assets connected to illegal activities without requiring criminal convictions.  

Last month, top executives of government agencies such as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) oversaw the formal closure of the POGO hub at Island Cove in Kawit, Cavite.  

“Anybody can now see that offshore gaming operations here have ceased completely,” Alejandro Tengco, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO said.  

Proposed legislative support  

To streamline these actions, both the Senate and the House of Representatives are considering legislation aimed at expediting the forfeiture process. A proposed measure would enable the government to directly take over buildings, equipment, and funds linked to illegal POGO operations. Similarly, the House has prioritised a bill that would simplify the cancellation of fraudulent birth certificates, reinforcing efforts to curb the misuse of citizenship laws.  

Challenges in implementation  

While the OSG has made assurances of prompt action, officials have acknowledged the challenges involved in estimating the aggregate value of seized assets and addressing the backlog of fraudulent documentation. The slow pace of property forfeiture processes under existing laws remains a concern, prompting calls for more efficient enforcement mechanisms. 

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