MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) have signed the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, paving the way for the law’s full implementation against illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) and organized criminal activities linked to them.

Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida and PAOCC Undersecretary Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. signed the IRR during a ceremony at Malacañang on Aug. 12.

The IRR provides the legal and operational framework for government agencies tasked with enforcing Republic Act No. 12312, or the Anti-POGO Act of 2025.

Undersecretary Facundo Palafox IV of the Office of the Executive Secretary, who delivered the welcome remarks, underscored the importance of coordinated government action in implementing the law.

“With the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Anti-POGO Act [of 2025], we move for its implementation. These rules provide the framework that will guide our respective agencies in enforcing the law effectively, consistently, and in accordance with its intent,” Vida said.

Vida recognized the contributions of the PAOCC and government agencies that participated in the technical working group that drafted and reviewed the IRR.

These include the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Labor and Employment, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, special economic zone authorities, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, freeport authorities, investment promotion agencies, and other concerned government offices.

The DOJ chief also credited the DOJ team led by Undersecretary Nicholas Felix L. Ty, the DOJ Legal Staff under Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan, the National Prosecution Service under Prosecutor General Richard Anthony D. Fadullon, and the University of the Philippines Law Center–Institute of Government and Law Reform headed by Dean Gwen B. Grecia-De Vera.

“The Department of Justice remains committed to working closely with the PAOCC, law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, and all concerned stakeholders to ensure the faithful implementation of Republic Act No. 12312,” Vida said.

“We will continue to strengthen inter-agency coordination, enhance enforcement mechanisms, and pursue accountability against those who violate the law,” he added.

The DOJ said the signing reinforces the government’s efforts to protect the public, uphold the rule of law, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and combat organized criminal activities associated with illegal POGO operations.