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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate OKs Anti-POGO bill, other priority measures on final reading

Senate OKs Anti-POGO bill, other priority measures on final reading

Published Jun 10, 2025 02:34 pm

At A Glance

  • "This isn't just a law—it's the people's demand to end the POGO menace," according to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian hailed the approval of Senate Bill No. 2868 or the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, saying the measure not only bans offshore gaming operations but also builds safeguards for the Filipino people.

“The welfare of the people should not be compromised in favor of illegal and dirty businesses,” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

“This isn’t just a law—it’s the people’s demand to end the POGO menace,” he said.

The measure primarily repeals Republic Act 11590 which legitimized POGOs in the country.

Once a law, the measure mandates the forfeiture of all POGO-related properties and equipment to prevent their reuse in illegal operations. 

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who led the investigations into POGO-related crimes in the country, also welcomed this development. 

“I thank the good chairperson of the committee on ways and means for accepting the amendments I proposed to his bill which are also outcomes of key learnings from the Alice Guo investigation,” Hontiveros said.

Aside from the Anti-Pogo bill, the Senate also approved the following bills on Monday, June 9.


  • Senate Bill No. 2821 or the Accelerated and Reformed Right of Way Act
  • Senate Bill No. 2982 or the The Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act
  • Senate Bill No. 2899 or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Act
  • Senate Bill No. 2903 or the Revised Philippine Coast Guard Law 
  • Senate Bill No. 2969 or the National Aviation Academy of the Philippines Charter Act 
  • Senate Bill No. 2999 or the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act 
  • Senate Bill No. 2613 or the Equitable Access to Sha’riah Courts, and
  • Senate Bill No. 3000 or the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act 

The Senate is set to adjourn sessions on June 11, 2025. 

Related Tags

Pogo Anti-POGO bill of 2025 Sherwin Gatchalian Risa Hontiveros Senate of the Philippines
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