Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty has said the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 12312, or the Anti-POGO Act, had been signed at Malacañang Palace.

Ty said Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission Undersecretary Benjamin Acorda signed the IRR in the presence of representatives from various government agencies, including the Office of the President, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

“As you all know, the Anti-POGO Act legislates what has been executive policy since 2024, which is the outright ban on POGOs, which was proclaimed by the President himself in the SONA back in 2024,” Ty said.

He said the law not only bans offshore gaming operations but also criminalizes certain activities connected to POGOs and provides for the forfeiture of assets used in prohibited activities.

The law also provides for the treatment of workers who may be displaced by the closure of POGO operations, Ty said.

The signing of the IRR came as the Supreme Court adopted a separate rule governing the civil forfeiture of POGO-related assets under Section 15 of RA 12312.

Under the rule, buildings, facilities, gaming equipment, paraphernalia and proceeds linked to prohibited POGO activities may be forfeited in favor of the government through expedited proceedings before Regional Trial Courts.

Civil forfeiture may proceed independently of a criminal case. A prior criminal charge, pending case or conviction is not required.

Government agencies involved in the seizure, custody or investigation of POGO-related assets may initiate forfeiture proceedings through the Office of the Solicitor General or its authorized representative.

The petition must generally be filed before the RTC with jurisdiction over the assets. Judges must determine probable cause within 24 hours of receiving the petition, while respondents have 20 calendar days from publication to file their comment or opposition.