The Supreme Court has rejected petitions contesting the jurisdiction of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to enforce regulatory measures on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) as per the approved RR-POGO in 2016.
According to a local media outlet, the Supreme Court dismissed consolidated petitions from various groups and individuals, citing technical grounds.
These petitions had challenged the legality of measures outlining the licensing, accreditation, and registration process for offshore gaming operators, agents, and related service providers.
The Court pointed out that the petitioners, including the Union for National Development and Good Governance Philippines (Unilad), Anti-Trapo Movement of the Philippines Inc., and lawyer Jovencio Evangelista, neglected the court hierarchy and did not adequately justify the importance of the raised issues for the court’s consideration.
Furthermore, the tribunal noted that the petitioners did not demonstrate any direct or personal stake in the enforcement of the RR-POGO.
The Supreme Court ruled that the purported transcendental significance of the raised issues lacked sufficient substantiation.
The petitioners argued against the constitutionality of the RR-POGO, asserting that PAGCOR lacks authority to regulate online or offshore gaming operations.
They implored the Supreme Court to invalidate the RR-POGO and permanently prevent PAGCOR from implementing its provisions.
PAGCOR implemented a revised regulatory framework for offshore gaming in August of last year, rebranding POGO as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs).
