On June 9, 2025, the Philippine Senate unanimously passed the "2025 Anti-POGO Act" with 23 votes. The following day, the House of Representatives also quickly followed suit, unanimously passing the bill. If signed by the president, this bill will officially become law, completely banning all forms of offshore gambling operations (POGO) in the Philippines. This is not only a major turning point in the history of Philippine gambling regulation but may also make it the first country in Southeast Asia to completely ban POGO.
All eyes are now on President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Will he sign it, delay, or reject it? This represents a multiple choice regarding the future gambling policy, social governance, and national image of the Philippines.
From Cash Cow to "Cancer": The Philippine Government's Love-Hate Relationship with POGO
During Duterte's term, POGO was seen as an economic "timely rain". At that time, the national finances were tight, and the tax revenue, employment, and property rental income brought by POGO were quite attractive, and the government's top officials even publicly supported it.
However, with the inauguration of Marcos Jr. in 2022, the direction quickly shifted. Starting in 2023, the government began a series of crackdowns, with a large number of POGO businesses having their licenses revoked and several fraud-involved parks raided and sealed. By 2024, Marcos Jr. had openly ordered a "strict regulation of the offshore gambling industry", gradually positioning POGO as a "social burden".
National Dilemma: Systemic Crisis Triggered by the POGO Industry
1. Detention Pressure Overload
The Philippine Immigration Bureau publicly stated that detention centers in places like Pasay City are overcrowded, with the number of illegal foreign workers severely exceeding limits, with one detention center holding over 600 people. More problematic is that there are still about 9,000 "missing" foreign workers on the run, with law enforcement helpless due to detained passports and missing identity information.
2. Public Health Crisis Escalation
Detention centers have repeatedly experienced outbreaks of tuberculosis, HIV, upper respiratory infections, and other infectious diseases, with high medical costs and limited prevention measures. There have been deaths of diagnosed individuals who were cremated, sparking dual controversies over human rights and health.
3. Visa System Abuse
POGO workers exploited loopholes in the visa system, with some whose work visas were canceled staying on tourist visas. Legislators bluntly stated: "This is no longer just a legal issue, but a provocation to national sovereignty."
4. Criminal Activities Sparking Public Outrage
In recent years, the POGO industry has been frequently exposed for involvement in telecommunications fraud, kidnapping for ransom, cross-border money laundering, and even alleged espionage, causing strong unrest in Philippine society and a surge in opposition. Media, academia, and several senators unanimously call for: "Complete shutdown, no delay."
Will Marcos Sign? Three Driving Forces and Two Concerns
Reasons for Signing:
Public Opinion: Currently, the general public in the Philippines strongly supports banning POGO, and signing would help the government establish its image.
Political Achievement Window: With the 2025 midterm elections approaching, signing the bill could be seen as a strong governance action against crime.
Diplomatic and Security Pressure: China and Vietnam have repeatedly pressured the Philippines to crack down on POGO, and signing could improve cooperation with regional countries.
Potential Hesitations:
Local Faction Resistance: Some local governments, real estate developers, and intermediaries still rely on the POGO economic chain, and interest groups may pressure against it.
Inadequate Supporting Mechanisms: After the ban is implemented, issues such as handling illegal workers, liquidating remaining assets, and allocating law enforcement resources all require meticulous planning.
Prediction: Signing Probability as High as 70%-80%
From a political logic and social environment perspective, the likelihood of Marcos Jr. ultimately signing the "Anti-POGO Act" is very high. Currently, both houses of Congress have unanimously passed it, and public opinion and international opinion are leaning towards a ban. If the government acts accordingly, it will achieve a win-win effect in governance and diplomacy.
Of course, Marcos might also choose a "political timing" strategy, delaying the signing to gain more space, such as waiting for a "more complete version from the House of Representatives" or demanding accompanying amendments. The final direction still depends on the decision from Malacañang Palace.
In Conclusion:
Regulating POGO is not just about cleaning up an industry, but about excising a rotten systemic lesion. If the government does not thoroughly eliminate it, fraud, human trafficking, infectious diseases, and corruption will continue to thrive in more covert ways.
Whether Marcos signs or not is not just an administrative decision, but a statement of value stance. Whether the Philippines is willing to turn towards a clearer, more stable governance path depends on this "single signature".
