Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero  
    EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is host to more than 300 illegal Philippine offshore gaming 
operator (POGO) hubs in various parts of the country, according to the 
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).  
There are about 300-plus illegal POGO hubs, According to PAGCOR (Philippine 
Amusement and Gaming Corp.), only around 48 or 49 registered with them and 
secured an IGL or internet gaming license. The rest of the 300-plus did not 
register as operating without a license. 
The extent of the problem as PAOCC continues with its search of the more than 
40 POGO hubs that it raided last week in Porac, Pampanga. 
Investigators also discovered equipment used for scams, as well as torture rooms 
and illegal drugs. 
Filipinos are hired as workers in services such as laundry, security. But those 
mostly in POGO hubs are foreigners. 
At least 160 foreigners were taken into custody from the POGO hub, at least 126 
are Chinese nationals. 
they also have names for Chinese and Filipino nationals in the SEC registration 
of the POGO hub. 
June 13, 2024
12:16 pm
10527


The director of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office was relieved from his post 
amid the ongoing investigation into the POGO hubs. 
This is clear evidence that POGOs are a national security threat to our nation. 
This has opened the doors, not only to criminal syndicates but also to those who 
want to destabilize and infiltrate our governmental and political institutions.  
This is another reason why the administration should no longer allow them to 
operate in our country. 
 This House Bill seeks to provide a strongly wholistic approach through strategic 
collaborations to effectively battle crime and corruption in the Philippine 
government, thus providing modernization funding to the presidential anti-
organized crime commission (PAOCC).  
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.  
MICHAEL L. ROMERO Ph.D.    


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero  
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL 
ANTI-ORGANIZED CRIME COMMISSION (PAOCC), TO PROVIDE A 
STRONG WHOLISTIC APPROACH THROUGH STRATEGIC 
COLLABORATIONS, TO EFFECTIVELY BATTLE CRIME AND 
CORRUPTION, PROVIDING APPROPRIATIONS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
SHORT TITLE — This Act shall be known as the 
Presidential 
anti-organized 
crime 
commission 
(PAOCC) 
modernization Act of 2024. 
SECTION 
2. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY — It is a declared policy of 
the State in conformity with the mandate of the Constitution, to provide a strong 
security network.  
the Presidential anti-organized crime commission (PAOCC) 
has 
the 
authority 
to 
take 
cognizance 
of 
crimes 
committed 
by 
organized/syndicated crime groups, heinous crimes, members of the Philippine 
10527


national police and the armed forces of the Philippines, and other offenses 
deemed appropriate by the president. as having priority over its other functions. 
SECTION 
3. 
MODERNIZATION FUNDING. – The amount of Two 
Billion Pesos (Php 2, 000,000,000.00) for the operation and administration of 
the Presidential anti-organized crime commission (PAOCC) shall be 
chargeable against funds for the purpose and other sources recommended by 
the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).  
 
Thereafter, appropriations for the Presidential anti-organized crime 
commission (PAOCC), shall be included in the budget proposals under the 
Office of the President. 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the 
existing organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Presidential 
anti-organized crime commission (PAOCC) in accordance with the 
prevailing provisions and relevant compensation and position classification 
laws, rules and regulations. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 
SECTION 
4. 
PRESIDENTIAL 
ANTI-ORGANIZED 
CRIME 
COMMISSION (PAOCC) MODERNIZATION FUND – There is hereby created the 
Presidential 
anti-organized 
crime 
commission 
(PAOCC) 
Modernization Fund to be used exclusively for the Presidential anti-
organized crime commission (PAOCC) Modernization Program. 


The Presidential anti-organized crime commission (PAOCC) 
Modernization Fund shall be administered by the Office of the President in 
accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules 
and regulations. 
SECTION 
5. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Office of the President 
shall prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the 
Presidential 
anti-organized 
crime 
commission 
(PAOCC) 
Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, to the President of the 
Republic and to the Chairpersons of the Committee on National Defense and 
Security of the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
SECTION 
6. 
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL. – The Presidential 
anti-organized crime commission (PAOCC) shall maintain a sufficient 
staffing pattern.  
Hence, it is authorized to increase its manpower to meet such required 
and may continue to increase personnel per percentage rate increase of 
committed mandates annually or as the need arises. 
SECTION 
7. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of three (3) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the Presidential anti-organized crime commission 
(PAOCC) shall continue to develop, modernize and constantly update its 
operational capabilities to keep pace with best global practices. 


SECTION 
8. 
SUPERVISING AND ASSESSMENT CONCERNS. — the 
Office of the President, shall provide the necessary technical and financial 
assistance to ensure effective operations and build-up. 
SECTION 
9. 
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY. — Office of the President 
SECTION 
10. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. — Within 
ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Office of the President 
shall, in consultation with other concerned government and private agencies, 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of 
this Act. 
SECTION 
11. 
TRANSITORY PROVISION – Existing industries, businesses 
and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given six (6) 
months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other period as 
may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
The agencies concerned shall provide for the continued maintenance, 
operation, and management of all the facilities and equipment. 
SECTION 12. 
PERIODIC REPORTS - The Office of the President 
shall submit periodic reports on its findings and make recommendations on 
actions to be taken by both Congress and Senate and the appropriate 
departments, in order to carry out the objectives and mandates of this Act. 
SECTION 
13. 
AUTOMATIC REVIEW - Every three (3) years after the 
effectivity of this Act, an independent review panel composed of experts to be 
appointed by the President of the Republic shall review the policies and 
programs in the defense and security sector and shall make recommendations, 
based on its findings, to the President and to both Houses of Congress. 
SECTION 14. 
PENAL CLAUSE. – Any person, whether natural or 
juridical, violating any section of this Act shall, upon conviction, therefore, be 
liable to a fine of not less than five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or 


imprisonment for a term not less than six (6) years, or both, at the discretion of 
the court for each and every violation.  
In case the violation is committed by a corporation or an association, the 
penalty shall devolve upon the president, director, or any other officer 
responsible for such violation. 
SECTION 
15. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, 
executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
16. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, 
any section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the 
other sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
17. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take 
effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or 
in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever 
comes earlier. 
 
Approved,