The Bureau of Immigration (BI) disclosed that around 100,000 workers from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are still awaiting deportation.
The information came to light during Senate plenary deliberations on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill, with Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate finance committee, presenting the figures.
According to BI data shared by Poe, 1,370 POGO workers have already been deported, while an additional 1,172 have been repatriated.
During the session, Senator Raffy Tulfo questioned the BI’s procedures for ensuring that departing POGO workers fulfill their obligations and resolve any pending legal issues before exiting the Philippines. Tulfo raised concerns about potential responsibilities these workers might leave behind, including unresolved cases or obligations to former employees.
Responding to the inquiry, Poe explained that the BI has been downgrading the working visas of POGO employees, allowing them to stay in the country temporarily while their individual cases are addressed.
“Rescued POGO workers are facing cases, and their visas are being downgraded to allow them to remain while these cases are resolved. This ensures proper handling of their deportation or repatriation,” Poe clarified.
Last September, the BI announced an expedited process for exit applications of POGO workers, setting a deadline of October 15th for voluntary downgrades. Workers failing to comply faced deportation proceedings by December 31st.
As of late September, the BI had downgraded 5,955 visas, with over half of these workers having left the country.
The government’s crackdown on POGOs follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to end all POGO operations by the end of 2024. In his third State of the Nation Address, Marcos highlighted the negative societal impacts of POGOs, including links to criminal activities.
Last week, the President signed Executive Order 74, officially banning POGOs and other offshore gaming operations in the Philippines.