A party legislator in the Philippines urged the Land Registration Authority (LRA) on Friday (September 6) to initiate the confiscation process of real estate assets held by illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) and the family of the dismissed mayor of Tarlac City, Guo Huaping.
In a statement, Margarita Nograles, representative of Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA), stated that these land holdings directly violate the Philippine Constitution, which prohibits foreigners from owning land in the Philippines.
She noted that foreign entities and individuals, including those involved in POGO operations, have exploited legal loopholes to acquire land.
Guo is facing complaints regarding her alleged involvement in domestic illegal POGO operations and her nationality.
"The Philippine Constitution clearly stipulates: Non-Filipinos are not allowed to own land in the country. The increasing number of Chinese citizens and companies, especially those associated with POGO, holding real estate assets is deeply concerning and must be addressed promptly," Nograles said.
She also called on the LRA to immediately issue adverse declarations on these real estate properties to prevent further transactions and ensure that these land assets are owned by the government.
Civil and criminal confiscation is based on Republic Act No. 1379, which "declares any property found to be unlawfully acquired by any public officer or employee as owned by the state and prescribes the procedures related thereto."
"We need to protect the integrity of the Constitution and ensure that laws are strictly enforced," Nograles said.
She also emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation among government agencies to investigate and combat illegal land purchases by foreigners and criminal organizations.
"The LRA and other government agencies must work closely together to prevent criminals from unlawly acquiring Philippine land," she said.
Nograles stated that the Constitution is designed to protect national resources and ensure that Filipinos can benefit from them.
"Allowing foreign entities, especially those associated with industries like POGO, to control Philippine land, undermines our reputation in the international community," she said.
Nograles also mentioned that POGO is linked to serious threats to national security such as human trafficking and money laundering.
"By taking swift action against illegal land ownership, we are not only upholding the Constitution but also protecting the Philippines from further risks posed by these activities," she said.
In the third State of the Nation Address on July 22, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. banned all domestic POGOs and instructed PAGCOR to cease POGO operations by the end of the year, while asking the Department of Labor and Employment to assist affected workers.
