PRESIDENT Marcos has signed Republic Act 12312, institutionalizing the ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and declaring their operations and other related activities illegal.
With the signing of RA 12312, those who will engaged in the illegal gambling activity will face stiff fines and imprisonment.
The new law institutionalized the provisions of Executive Order 74, which prohibited Pogos. It also ensures that the transition program for Filipino workers, who were employed in Pogos and now facing retrenchment, will be institutionalized.
Under RA 12312, those who will violate its provisions will face fines ranging P300,000 to P50 million as well as six to 12 years of imprisonment.
If the offender is juridical entity, its responsible officer including its president,chief executive officer, general manager will be slapped with the said penalties.
Public officials and employees, who will violate the provisions of RA 12312 will face the maximum penalty and also dismissa from service and will suffer perpetual disqualification from government service. Their retirement benefits will also be forfeited in favor of the government.
In case the violator is a foreigner, he or she must serve sentence before being deported and perpetually banned from entering the country.
Those convicted of violating RA 12312 will not qualify for probation.
Buildings or facilities, materials, pieces of equipment, and paraphenalia used for Pogo actvities will also be forfeited in favor of the government.
Filipino workers, who will be displaced by the law, will be provided by the Department of Labor and Employment with interventions to provide them new livelihood including skills training, upskilling and reskilling, as well as employment facilitation.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission was tasked to lead the Administrative Oversight Committee for the implementation of RA 12312.
The Department of Justice will issue the implementing rules of the new law within 60 days from its effectivity.
RA 12312, or the Anti-Pogo Act of 2025 repealed RA 11590, which legalized offshore gaming operation.