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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure banning and declaring illegal all offshore gaming operations (Pogos) in the Philippines and other related activities.

Under Republic Act No. 12312, also known as the ‘Anti-Pogo Act of 2025,’ the work permits and visas of all individuals engaged in offshore gaming operations-or employed by Pogos, Pogo gaming content providers, and Pogo-accredited service providers-are declared canceled.

The bill was signed into law by Marcos October 23.

‘All Pogos, Pogo gaming content providers, Pogo-accredited service providers, and Pogo local gaming agents whose licenses have been revoked under this Act shall continue to be liable for all taxes, duties, regulatory fees, and all other charges up to the last day of their operations, which are due and payable to the government arising from or in connection to their operations,’ the law reads.

Moreover, any act, omission, series, or combination of violations shall constitute an ‘unlawful activity’ under Republic Act No. 9160, or the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001.

The new law also prohibits any person or entity from ‘recruiting, obtaining, hiring, providing, offering, transporting, transferring, maintaining, harboring, or receiving any Filipino or foreign national’ for employment in offshore gaming operations in the country.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment has been tasked to formulate and implement programs to assist in the transition of all Filipino workers affected by the ban.

To ensure the effective implementation of the law, an Administrative Oversight Committee (AOC) shall be created, composed of the following agencies:

-Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission-or its organizational successor-in-interest-as chairperson

-Department of Justice, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and Department of the Interior and Local Government as members

The AOC was given the authority to make sure there is a real-time and interoperable information-sharing system among agencies concerned, and speedy investigation and prosecution of all persons accused or detained, among others.

In his third State of the Nation Address in 2024, Marcos announced the official ban of all POGOs in the country. The operators were given until the end of that year to cease operations.

Following this pronouncement, the president instructed the Department of Labor and Employment, in coordination with the administration’s economic managers, to use the time ‘between now and then’ to find new jobs for Filipinos who would be displaced.

In his speech, Marcos emphasized that banning Pogos would ‘solve many of the problems that the country has been encountering,’ but noted that ‘it will not solve all of them.’

Months later, on November 5, Executive Order No. 74 was issued ordering the immediate ban of all POGOs in the country, citing national security threat as one of the reasons.

Senate inquiry witness Orly Guteza, the former Marine sergeant who claimed that he delivered suitcases packed with public works project kickbacks to certain lawmakers, may soon face criminal charges after a Manila court found his sworn statement to be falsified or containing the forged signature of a notary public.

In an October 24 order issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 18, Executive Judge Carolina Icasiano-Sison said her office had referred the falsification incident to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for further investigation and filing of proper charges against Guteza.

The court said the DOJ’s action against Guteza may cover other persons who ‘actively participated in [the] falsification.’

Guteza appeared on Sept. 25 at the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on flood control project anomalies. He was allowed to read his affidavit for the record after being presented to the body by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who said the witness was referred to him by former Rep. Mike Defensor.

Lacson wants him back

The following day, then committee chair Sen. Panfilo Lacson expressed disapproval of what happened, saying the ‘surprise witness” was introduced ‘without courtesy of notice,’ and that Guteza’s background needed further checking.

On Tuesday, Lacson, who resigned as chair three weeks ago but is expected to retake the position when Congress resumes session next month, said Guteza would be asked to again face the panel.

A subpoena will be sent to Guteza ‘through the office’ of Marcoleta and Defensor, Lacson said in a statement.

‘They had a hand in presenting (him), so we hope they know how to contact Guteza,’ he said.

According to Lacson, Senate security videos show that Guteza stayed for about 30 minutes at Marcoleta’s office before going to the session hall for the morning hearing.

In the Manila RTC order, Judge Icasiano-Sison cleared notary public Petchie Rose Espera of any liability, saying her purported signature on Guteza’s affidavit was a forgery, making her a ‘victim’ in the case.

The order cited as basis the forensic analysis conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation showing that the signature on the affidavit and Espera’s standard signature ‘were not written by one and the same person.’

‘The act of falsifying a notary public’s signature constitutes a criminal offense under the Revised Penal Code. Such falsification undermines the integrity of the notarial process and poses a threat to the credibility of legal instruments executed before notaries public,’ the court pointed out.

All other persons who made use of or uttered the sworn statement signed by Guteza ‘shall be liable for falsification,’ it said, adding that ‘in the absence of a satisfactory explanation, one who is found in possession of a forged document and who used or uttered it is presumed to be the forger.’

Incident report

Hours after Guteza’s testimony and copies of his affidavit appeared on social media, Espera issued a statement denying she signed the document.

She later filed an incident report at the Manila RTC to clear her name, saying the forgery and her being dragged into the public works controversy were causing damage to her professional reputation.

Guteza has yet to make a public appearance since the Sept. 25 Senate hearing. He also did not show up in court despite being summoned twice in connection with Espera’s incident report.

Guteza claimed he was a former security consultant of then Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, one of the lawmakers being investigated over allegedly graft-tainted infrastructure projects.

In his sworn statement, he said he delivered millions of pesos in cash to the Taguig City residences of Co and then Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The former House leader dismissed the testimony as ‘a complete fabrication’ by a coached witness

One of the notable messages that the late veteran choreographer Anna Feliciano received was from her former husband Mel Feliciano, who expressed both his gratitude and apology for the moments they shared together.

Mel took to his Facebook page on Wednesday, Oct. 29, to bid farewell to his ex-wife, adding that their breakup was for the best since they learned valuable lessons as individuals.

‘Paalam ANNA gusto ko malaman mo at sinabi ko sayo na salamat ng nagkahiwalay tayo marami akong natutunan bilang isang AMA salamat sa pag alaga kay rupert tama man o mali ang paghhiwalay natin PATAWAD,’ he wrote.

(Goodbye, Anna. I want you to know, and as I’ve told you when we broke up, that I’m thankful because I learned a lot of things as a father. Thank you for taking care of Rupert. Whether or not we did the right thing in separating, all I can say is forgive me.)

Mel further said that the end of their relationship was God’s plan, saying he and his family will be supportive of Anna until the end. He added that various dancers made an appearance at her wake to express their love for her.

‘Ang lahat ng ito ay plano ni lord mula unang araw hanggang last day nandon ako d ako nagpost ng kahit ano gusto ko MOMENT MO YON at salamat sa mga dancers nag effort para sumayaw sa wake mo MULA SA PAMILYA KO AT SA PAMILYA MO LUBOS AKONG NAKKIRAMAY [we’ll] pray for ur soul,’ he said.

(All this is part of God’s plan. From the first day [of the wake] until the last day, I was there. I did not post anything. It was your moment. Thank you as well to the dancers who made an effort to dance at your wake. From my family to yours, I want to express my deepest sympathy. We’ll pray for your soul.)

As revealed by Mel, several dancers who worked under Anna’s helm – including SexBomb member Jopay Paguia – paid tribute to the seasoned choreographer by performing an energetic routine.

‘Huling sayaw para sayo ma (This is our last dance for you, mom),’ her daughter-in-law April said while sharing a clip on Facebook.

Anna’s death was confirmed by her family last Oct. 23. She died of a heart attack at 65 years old.

She is notable for creating dance routines on television, including the now-defunct game show ‘Wowowin.’

The Philippines, currently the third largest geothermal producer, will need more government support to ensure it will not get displaced by other geothermal giants, an executive of First Gen Corp. said.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, First Gen vice president Jay Joel Soriano admitted that since the country considered geothermal as an ‘old technology,’ the sector was not seeing ‘broad government support.’

He said that it was only recently that geothermal was included in the fourth round of the green energy auction program, a government initiative meant to attract more renewable projects through fixed rates to winning bidders.

Soriano, who also heads the group’s strategy and planning, is hopeful about the realization of the planned rollout of the initial $250-million de-risking fund for geothermal developers, as firms solely shoulder hefty upfront capital in exploring possible sites.

Renewable energy

First Gen is a leading renewable energy producer in the Philippines, with the bulk of its capacity sourced from geothermal facilities.

‘I think if they can help us de-risk that upfront investment, you know, then it will pave the way to more and more developments in the Philippines,’ Soriano said on the sidelines of the Asia Clean Energy Summit 2025 in Singapore.

‘The sooner help comes, the better,’ he added.

Sought for her reaction, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, who was also at the event, said they were already finalizing the deal with Landbank of the Philippines for the de-risking facility.

Based on his presentation, the United States continues to be the dominant player with 3,794 megawatts (MW), while Indonesia comes second with 2,356 MW.

The Philippines, meanwhile, has 1,935 MW of geothermal capacity. Turkiye is closing in with 1,682 MW.

War chest

With adequate support from the government, the official said producers could boost their war chest in investing in new technologies, which can bolster their capacity to unlock more capacity.

‘The traditional geothermal technology still makes sense. But to expand, to retain our leadership position, I think we need to start looking at other technologies, technologies that are still quite nascent, technologies that have potential in the Philippines,’ he said.

Asked about how much more geothermal resource could be tapped, Soriano said the country’s true potential could be estimated once new technologies are introduced in the market.

For First Gen’s part, he said they have been exploring possible partnerships abroad for the deployment of new technologies

The Akbayan bloc in the House of Representatives on Wednesday filed four measures aimed at strengthening the rights and welfare of indigenous peoples and other vulnerable groups affected by displacement and development.

Collectively seen as part of a broader inclusion and justice agenda for these communities and filed on the 28th anniversary of the landmark Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA), the bills include the Bakwit Welfare Act (House Bill No. 5703), the Katutubong Iskolar Act (HB 5704), the National Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act (HB 5705), and the Katutubong Guro Act (HB 5712).

These measures were principally introduced by Akbayan Representatives Dadah Kiram Ismula, Chel Diokno, and Perci Cendana, as well as Dinagat Islands Rep. Arlene ‘Kaka’ Bag-ao.

The first bill, HB 5703, seeks to formally recognize and protect the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs) or bakwits arising from armed conflict, disasters, or development projects.

Under the measure, the State must prevent arbitrary displacement, ensure access to humanitarian aid, and penalize officials or private entities found responsible for forced or illegal displacement.

The bill also establishes an Internally Displaced Persons Assistance and Compensation Board (IDPACB) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development to oversee reparations, livelihood aid, and resettlement programs.

HB 5704, meanwhile, institutionalizes the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples’ (NCIP) Educational Assistance Program, granting financial support to IP students from elementary to tertiary levels to make mainstream education more accessible to IP youth.

Scholarships would range from P7,500 for elementary pupils to P30,000 per semester for college students. Applicants must be bona fide members of recognized Indigenous groups and have a household income not exceeding P250,000 annually.

The third measure, HB 5705, proposes to declare Oct. 29 as a special non-working holiday nationwide to honor the contributions and cultures of Indigenous Peoples. If passed, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples would lead nationwide celebrations highlighting IP heritage, rights, and issues through cultural events, educational campaigns, and public awareness drives.

Lastly, HB 5712 establishes a Teacher Education Scholarship and Return Service Program for Indigenous Peoples to increase the number of culturally competent teachers in IP communities.

The program offers full scholarships, allowances, and equipment grants to IP students pursuing education degrees in state or private universities. Upon passing the licensure exam, scholars will be integrated into the Department of Education’s teaching service and assigned to schools serving Indigenous areas.

Each scholar will be required to render one year of service for every year of scholarship received, ensuring that trained educators return to uplift their own communities.

In their explanatory notes, the lawmakers said they hoped these bills would help address the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous and displaced populations: from armed conflict and climate disasters to systemic barriers in education and representation.

According to the NCIP, indigenous peoples remain among the poorest and most marginalized sectors in the Philippines, often displaced by mining, infrastructure, and agribusiness projects. Meanwhile, disasters and conflict continue to displace thousands of families annually, with limited access to redress or durable resettlement.

‘Twenty-eight years after the passage of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act, the government still has much to do to strengthen the rights and recognition of our Indigenous communities. Akbayan’s Katutubo Bills are a step toward ensuring that our Indigenous Peoples are truly valued,’ Ismula said.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla is looking into live-streaming the preliminary investigation (PI) hearing of cases, including those pertaining to the multibillion-peso flood control scandal.

‘We are looking at the design, where the PI can also be viewed live,’ Remulla said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Remulla said such moves are part of his office’s thrust for greater transparency.

‘We can look into the bounds of transparency we can adhere to in this office,’ he said.

Villanueva’s ‘secret’ case

In line with this transparency thrust, Remulla also said his office will publish the Ombudsman case of Senator Joel Villanueva under former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and Samuel Martirez.

‘People are speculating as to which is which and what is what,’ Remulla said. ‘It is actually public property, these are already decisions that are presumed to be valid.’

In 2016, former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the dismissal from public service of Villanueva for his administrative liability over the alleged anomalous use of P10 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund allocation as a former representative of Cibac party-list which advocates against anticorruption.

However, the Senate did not implement Villanueva’s dismissal order as its members at that time agreed that the Ombudsman lacks jurisdiction over members of Congress.

Remulla said he would write to Senate President Vicente Sotto III to enforce the former Ombudsman’s ruling on Villanueva.

However, Remulla later learned that Martires, in July 2019, reversed Morales’ 2016 order in what the former Department of Justice chief call a ‘secret decision’ which prevented the ouster bid of Villanueva.

According to Remulla, no one knew about Martires’ decision to reverse Morales’ 2016 order, and the Philippine media was not made aware of it either.

New Villanueva complaint

Villanueva, however, faces another complaint reaching the Office of the Ombudsman.

The senator is among the six individuals subject to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) recommendation for criminal and administrative charges the body filed before the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday.

During a House tri-comm hearing last month, former Bulacan Assistant 1st District Engineer Jaypee Mendoza said Villanueva allegedly requested P1.5 billion from former Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara for a multi-purpose building.

However, Alcantara, in a screenshot of a text message shown by Mendoza, allegedly said only P600 million could be purportedly allocated by former DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan.

Former DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez also alleged that Villanueva received at least 30 percent in kickbacks as a ‘standard operating procedure’ from the P600 million he purportedly appropriated to allocate in Bulacan.

Villanueva, who repeatedly denied such accusations, asserted his innocence once more in reaction to ICI’s move.

Meralco forward Bong Quinto knows it best-the Bolts have been here before.

Following another loss in the PBA Philippine Cup, this time at the hands of NLEx on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo, Quinto shared his thoughts on the team’s grueling schedule.

Yet, his comments didn’t come off as complaints.

‘You can say that [the schedule] is a factor, but of course, we wanted this,’ Quinto told the Inquirer after their 89-85 loss to the Road Warriors.

‘We’ve been in this kind of situation before. If you notice, our games are scheduled consecutively.’

For the third straight year, Meralco is playing in two leagues-the PBA Philippine Cup and the East Asia Super League (EASL).

So while Quinto and the Bolts are no strangers to this demanding setup, it hasn’t helped their Philippine Cup campaign, where they now stand at 3-3.

‘We’ve played these kinds of schedules before. In a span of ten days, we play a lot of games, but we always go back to the fact that we’ve been here before.’

The Bolts face TNT next on Wednesday, still in Antipolo, but the tough grind continues. On Sunday, they fly to Taiwan to take on the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots at the Taoyuan Arena in the EASL.

In that regional league, Meralco is winless in Group B after dropping its season opener to Japanese B. League powerhouse Ryukyu Golden Kings.

With their attention divided between two demanding competitions, Quinto emphasized the need to stay grounded.

‘We just prepare ourselves so we’re ready when the quarters, semis, or maybe even the finals come. But before that happens, we have to establish ourselves here in the eliminations.’ INQ

San Sebastian pulled off a major upset in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament, edging Letran, 82-81, on Wednesday at San Juan Arena.

The Golden Stags not only snapped their five-game losing streak but also ended the Knights’ five-game winning run.

‘It’s a sigh of relief because we proved that we can compete in the NCAA, and I truly believe in these kids,’ said coach Rob Labagala. ‘We really struggled, so this win feels great.’

San Sebastian led by as many as 15 points before Letran rallied in the fourth to set up a tense finish.

The Knights grabbed a 77-73 lead midway through the final period, but the Stags responded with seven unanswered points to go ahead, 80-77, with 2:46 left.

Deo Cuajao tied the game with a three-pointer with 1:02 remaining, and Kevin Santos put Letran back in front, 81-80, after splitting his free throws with 10 seconds to go.

That only set the stage for Jhuniel Dela Rama’s heroics. Dela Rama hit the game-winning basket with three seconds left, finishing with 20 points and seven rebounds.

Oneil Castor led the Stags with 22 points as San Sebastian improved to 2-7 in Group A.

Jonathan Manalili notched another double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to keep Letran from dropping to 5-4 in Group B.

‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,’ the third installment to the ‘Now You See Me’ film series, is set to hit Philippine cinemas on Nov. 12.

The upcoming film’s premiere date was announced by its producers in a press statement, saying ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ is a continuation of its storyline laced with ‘magic, mystery, and mind-bending heists.’

Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco and Isla Fisher return to reprise their roles as the Four Horsemen, who will join forces with a ‘new generation of illusionists for another mind-bending, high-stakes adventure.’

‘As they return to the spotlight, the Horsemen face a formidable new adversary and uncover fresh layers of deception that will challenge everything they know about the art of the trick,’ the statement read.

Joining the lead stars are Morgan Freeman, Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt and Rosamund Pike.

The film is directed by Ruben Fleischer, while Michael Lesslie, Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese and Seth Grahame-Smith were tapped to write the script.

The ‘Now You See Me’ franchise began with the 2013 film of the same name which grossed $351.7 million worldwide in box office sales. A sequel was released three years later.

The stoic Melvin Jerusalem was in his element on Tuesday, seemingly unfazed by the magnitude of the moment riding on his 105-pound frame.

Jerusalem headlines the 13-bout ‘Thrilla in Manila 2,’ a fight card that pays homage to what’s widely regarded as the greatest fight in boxing history that saw the sport’s giants Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier battle in a brutal 14-round slugfest-a fitting final chapter to their storied rivalry. ‘I don’t take it as pressure. I’m excited to be part of this history,’ said Jerusalem, the pride of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. ‘This is the 50th anniversary of Thrilla in Manila, and I can’t wait to put on a good performance and give a good fight in front of the home crowd.’

‘I’m 101 percent confident heading into the fight.’

The 31-year-old Jerusalem (24-2, 12KOs) risks his WBC minimumweight title against South Africa’s Siyakholwa Kuse at the Araneta Coliseum, where Frazier’s trainer Eddie Futch had seen enough and asked Filipino referee Carlos Padilla Jr. to stop the fight at the end of the 14th round.

‘If you want to be a champion, you must beat the champion,’ said Kuse (9-2-1, 4KOs), who is fighting on foreign soil for the first time.

Jerusalem, who is riding a four-fight streak coming off a repeat over Japan’s Yudai Shigeoka last March, is among the bevy of Filipino boxing stars in the show. In a special attraction, unbeaten middleweight prospect Eumir Marcial goes toe-to-toe with Venezuelan knockout artist Eddy Colmenares for the vacant WBC International Championship.

The heavy-hitting Marcial faces an acid test against Colmenares, who is 11-2 with all of his victories coming by knockout.

Marlon Tapales, the former unified super bantamweight champion, hopes to continue his resurgence against Venezuela’s Fernando Toro (11-2, 9KOs). Tapales has strung up three consecutive convincing wins since his knockout loss to Naoya Inoue in December 2023.

Manny Pacquiao, who made the move to stage the Thrilla’s 50th anniversary in Manila, will be in attendance for the event, which begins at 1:00 p.m.

His son, Eman Bacosa, is also part of the undercard with the rising super featherweight taking on Bohol’s Nico Salado.

The 21-year-old Bacosa, who started boxing at 10 years old, has unenviably big shoes to fill.

‘I’m just focused on myself and my fight. I’m not taking my opponent for granted,’ a beaming Bacosa said in Filipino. INQ