As the Philippine government fully bans Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), a large number of assets have been seized, turning these once thriving parks into "ghost towns." From luxury villas to high-end office buildings, the future ownership of these assets has attracted widespread attention.
The Philippine government has repeatedly ordered the acceleration of the confiscation of POGO assets for legal disposal, attempting to transform the potential value of these assets into social benefits.
PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz said: "The government can benefit from this. Large POGO centers can be converted into classrooms, camps, or training centers. If we win the lawsuit, these POGO centers can become government property, or they can be sold to help victims of human rights abuses."
But can these assets really be properly utilized, or will they become tools for the corrupt?
The current state of POGO parks—overgrown with weeds, urgently needing reuse
Under the government's continuous crackdown, several POGO parks located in Pampanga and Tarlac provinces have now become abandoned lands. The Baofu Compound in Bamban has been seized; Sun Plaza, also used as a temporary screening and detention facility for online gambling practitioners; and the Thai Royal Court, formerly known as Park No. 3, suspected to be operated by Duanren Wu and Cassandra Li Ong, are all under the control of the Philippine government.
Luxury swimming pools are dried up, villas are covered in dust, and dormitories are in disarray. The once bustling operation centers are now overgrown with weeds. These seized assets are currently under government preservation orders, but have not yet been clearly utilized.
Some parks have been temporarily transformed into detention centers or social service facilities, such as a former POGO center in Pasay City now used as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) "Walang Gutom" no-hunger community kitchen, providing free meals to the homeless.
Meanwhile, the ban has affected over a million square meters of commercial real estate, causing a surge in vacancy rates. This figure does not even include apartment units or residential property owners. Such a massive impact has had a severe negative effect on the real estate market. The CEO of Leechiu Property Consultants predicts that the market will need at least 3-5 years to stabilize.
The government's asset confiscation plan—who is eyeing the POGO legacy?
The Philippine government has repeatedly stated publicly that the confiscated POGO assets will be used for public purposes, such as being converted into government office buildings or evacuation centers. However, the implementation process is full of controversy.
-Legal issues and slow execution
Currently, the procedure for confiscating assets still relies on the "Human Trafficking Act" and related regulations, requiring a court ruling before ownership can be transferred. However, some senior officials are pushing for legislation that attempts to bypass judicial procedures and confiscate assets solely through executive orders. Although this approach can speed up the process, it also raises concerns about abuse of power and corruption.
Currently, several senators, including Sherwin "Win" Ting Gatchalian, are pushing for the passage of an anti-offshore spinach bill, which will include a provision that all assets related to offshore spinach can be "confiscated and owned by the government." In November 2024, the House of Representatives also proposed similar measures.
If such laws are passed, the results could be terrifying! Just by executive order, assets can be confiscated? The room for manipulation is too great!
The original intention is to bring POGO assets back to the nation, but they may end up in the hands of certain authorities again!
-Where does the wealth go?
The seized POGO assets are valuable, including high-end vehicles, luxury real estate, and advanced equipment, as well as a considerable amount of cash. With such wealth in front of them, who wouldn't be tempted?! However, according to Philippine media, some officials have been accused of using their authority to acquire these assets at low prices.
The article states, "A wealthy congressman purchased two confiscated smuggled Bugatti Chiron supercars from the Bureau of Customs at a low price. These two supercars, one red and one blue, are now parked in the congressman's garage, alongside his existing LaFerrari, Porsche 918, and McLaren P1, becoming his new collection."
The assets accumulated by Chinese bosses through harvesting leeks have now gloriously entered the asset list of some officials.
The shadow of corruption and the future of the Philippines
The Philippine government's anti-POGO action was supposed to be an important measure to rectify illegal economic activities, but a series of practical operations have exposed many problems. From the chaotic management of the parks to the potential corruption in asset distribution, these signs raise concerns that this reform may become a tool for the profit of a few.
Although the exit of POGO has alleviated criminal activities, it has also left economic and social challenges. Massive unemployment, a weak real estate market, and the loss of investor confidence are having long-term impacts on the Philippine economy. If the issue of asset distribution cannot be transparent, the government's credibility will be further undermined.
The Philippine government's anti-POGO action is an attempt to govern illegal activities, but to truly achieve its goals, the government needs to strengthen the transparent management of confiscated assets and severely punish any form of corruption. At the same time, all sectors of society should also strengthen supervision to ensure that public resources truly serve the people.
Asset confiscation, where to go?
POGO assets have unveiled the Philippine government's fig leaf! Will they become resources that promote social development, or will they fall into the hands of the elite again?
Can the Philippine political arena provide a fair and transparent answer?
