MANILA — The government is speeding up the process of acquiring the seized properties and assets of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
According to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the laws on forfeiture of properties is “very slow” but the government have to follow due process before taking the properties.
“We are already doing everything to hasten the process, except that we have to give due process to whoever appears to be the holder of those assets,” Bersamin said.
“Hindi namin pwede i-grab basta but they already have in place laws and regulations about forfeiture,” he added.
Bersamin stressed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. no longer needs to issue a directive, since it is “already a given” that the POGO properties and assets would be forfeited, “if they were involved in a crime.”
The Executive Secretary added that the seized assets would be used for “any kind of purpose that is legitimate to the government and to the use of the property.”
“Those buildings will become assets of the government, so the government will dispose of them as its judgment will guide,” Bersamin said.
On November 5, President Marcos issued Executive Order (EO) 74, ordering the immediate ban of POGOs, internet gaming, and other offshore gaming operations in the country.
The ban on POGOs/IGLs and other offshore gaming operations also encompasses license applications, license renewals, and cessation of operations./PN
