bitbet OSG: Pogo asset seizures, birth records purge next

Menardo Guevarra —HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) will play a key role in dealing with the Philippine offshore gaming operators’ (Pogos) exit from the country.

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday told reporters that the OSG’s post-Pogo responsibilities would involve initiating proceedings to cancel fraudulent birth certificates issued to foreign nationals and to seize any properties they have acquired illegally in the country.

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“At this time we have no definite figures on the aggregate value of these assets. The first order of the day is to take possession of and control over them,” Guevarra said in a Viber message when asked about the assets subject to sequestration and forfeiture.

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Fake birth certificates

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had ordered all Pogos in the country to wrap up operations by Dec. 31, citing their involvement in criminal activities such as scamming, human trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, and violence.

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The House of Representatives, which has investigated illegal drugs, offshore gaming,g and extrajudicial killings, has already moved to approve a measure to expedite the cancellation of fraudulent birth certificates issued to foreign nationals in House Bill No. 11117 or the proposed fraudulent birth certificate cancellation law.

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Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante said this measure was prioritized following revelations that thousands of foreign nationals, particularly Chinese citizens, had obtained false Philippine birth certificates to acquire official documents.

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These documents enabled them to engage in activities restricted to Filipino nationals, such as purchasing land, starting businesses, or even running for public office — as in the case of former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, who is believed to be a Chinese citizen.

The OSG has also earlier petitioned to cancel Guo’s birth certificate for failing to submit the required supporting documents for late registration.

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In July last year, the National Bureau of Investigation revealed that it had uncovered “close to 200 falsified birth certificates” issued to Chinese nationals between 2018 and 2019 by the civil registry of a single town, referring to Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Pogo properties

Three months later, on Oct. 20, 2024, the House quad committee turned over documents to the OSG concerning land acquisitions and properties allegedly “owned, procured [and] acquired” by Chinese nationals in violation of the Constitution.

“What I can confirm is that the invitation for our former president has been received,” PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said, talking in a mix of English and Filipino, in a press briefing.

In its latest weather update, Pagasa said Kristine was last located some 760 kilometers east of Catarman,  Northern Samar, still packing a maximum wind speed of 55 kilometers per hour (kph),  gustiness of up to 70 kph, while moving west and slower  at 15 kph, from  30 kph earlier.

The OSG has been instructed to collaborate with the Land Registration Authority, Securities and Exchange Commission, Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Agrarian Reform, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the Department of Justice to ensure thorough investigation and enforcement.

In response, Guevarra gave assurances that the OSG would promptly review the documents provided to assess potential legal actions against Chinese nationals accused of fraudulently acquiring properties in the Philippines.

Guevarra, a former justice secretary, said that after reviewing the files the OSG would coordinate with other government agencies to gather further evidence and build the cases.

“Once we have gathered sufficient evidence, we’ll initiate the appropriate legal actions, which may include civil forfeiture, reversion, escheat, cancellation of birth certificates, deportation and criminal/administrative complaints,” he added.

READ: Up to 7,000 Pogo workers seen to leave PH before Dec. 31 deadline

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Civil forfeiture, governed by the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, allows the government to seize money or property tied to illegal activities without requiring a criminal conviction.

Reversion refers to the return of illegally acquired property to the statebitbet, while escheatment involves transferring property to the government when there are no heirs or when the property is abandoned.

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