Senate approves landmark anti-POGO bill, 9 key measures

MANILA – The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a sweeping set of priority bills, including measures banning offshore gaming operations and establishing a groundbreaking disaster response mechanism, alongside major reforms in infrastructure, energy, education, and public sector governance.

Among the most consequential bills passed is Senate Bill No. 2868, or the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, which institutionalizes the ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

The bill repeals Republic Act (RA) 11590, which had previously legalized offshore gaming.

Senator Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and principal author of the measure, said the law aims to eliminate remaining POGO operations and ensure the prohibition extends beyond the current administration.

“This isn’t just a law —it’s the people’s demand to end the POGO menace,” Gatchalian said, warning that the economic benefits of offshore gambling cannot justify the social costs.

The bill also mandates the forfeiture of all POGO-related properties and equipment to prevent their reuse in illegal operations.

Also earning unanimous support was Senate Bill No. 2999, or the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act, described by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada as a “critical step” in shifting from reactive disaster response to anticipatory action.

Estrada, principal author and sponsor of the bill, said the measure establishes a legal framework that enables national and local governments to act on forecasted hazards before they strike.

“If all goes well, the Philippines will be the first in the region —and in the world— to legislate anticipatory action,” Estrada said, citing the country’s top ranking in the World Risk Index and the urgent need for preemptive disaster response mechanisms.

The proposed law allows the President or local chief executives to declare a State of Imminent Disaster based on scientific projections and risk assessments, enabling the early mobilization of resources.

Estrada added the bill is aligned with the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, and is backed by the Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the UN World Food Programme.

Other significant bills approved include Senate Bill No. 2821, which amends the Right-of-Way Act to accelerate infrastructure projects; Senate Bill No. 2899, which establishes the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority; and Senate Bill No. 2903, which reorganizes the Philippine Coast Guard.

In the judiciary, the Senate passed Senate Bill No. 2982, which strengthens the fiscal autonomy of the judicial branch; while in education, Senate Bill No. 2969 transforms the Philippine State College of Aeronautics into the National Aviation Academy of the Philippines.

Senate Bill No. 3000 institutionalizes a career progression system for public school teachers and leaders.

The chamber also adopted multiple House bills supporting local development initiatives, including the establishment of hospitals, state colleges, electric cooperatives, and integrated schools across the country.

These include new medical centers in Zamboanga del Sur, Aurora, and Quirino; state colleges in Dinagat Islands and Sarangani; and franchises for electric cooperatives in Benguet, Aklan, Laguna, and Camarines Sur.

With the sine die adjournment of the 19th Congress approaching, Senate leaders expect to transmit several of these measures to Malacañang for enactment, marking a strong push to complete the legislative agenda before the end of session. (PNA)

(2025/06/09-09:40)