Martin Romualdez vows to act `swiftly’ on measures like anti-Pogo bill

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. Inquirer file photo

MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday said that the lower chamber will move “swiftly” to act on remaining important measures, including the Anti-Pogo (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations) Bill, before the 19th Congress adjourns in two weeks.

“It is time to finish where we left off. Now is the final stretch of the 19th Congress, and we intend to make every day count,” Romualdez said in a statement.

As the House of Representatives resumes its session on Monday, June 2, Romualdez said that among the key measures they will tackle for final reading is the House Bill No. 10987 or the Anti-Offshore Gaming Operations Act, which seeks to ban offshore gaming operations in the country.

READ: Senate, House rushing bills before June 13

Romualdez said that the Anti-Pogo bill aims to address concerns on crime, corruption, and national security that are allegedly linked to offshore gaming operations.

“We owe it to our people to shut the doors on criminal syndicates hiding behind legal loopholes,” Romualdez added.

The House Speaker also said that the following measures are also up for final reading: HB 11359 or the Philippine Civil Registry Act, which updates the system of recording civil status information; HB 11430, the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act; HB 11395 or the Act Institutionalizing Emergency Assistance for Individuals in Crisis; and HB 11400 or the proposed expansion of benefits and privileges for senior citizens.

“Let’s move decidedly on these bills. Every one of them has a direct impact on the lives of Filipinos, from health to community, and to rights and benefits of senior citizens,” Romualdez noted.

READ: Martin Romualdez lauds House passage of 27 out of 28 Ledac bills

Romualdez on Thursday lauded the lower chamber’s achievement of passing 27 out of 28 measures under the Common Legislative Agenda during the 8th meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

The lower chamber was able to file 13,868 measures between July 25, 2022 and May 28, 2025. Of this figure, 11,506 were bills, and 2,361 were resolutions.

Lastly, Romualdez called on his fellow lawmakers to stand against disinformation and algorithmic manipulation that attack the truth and democracy./mr