MANILA: Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros and Senator Joel Villanueva have voiced their support for the Office of the Solicitor General's (OSG) initiative to revoke fraudulently obtained birth certificates by foreign nationals, with both lawmakers urging further action against illegal activities associated with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

According to Philippines News Agency, Hontiveros commended the OSG's proactive stance, emphasizing the need for the government to prevent foreign nationals from exploiting Philippine institutions. She highlighted the potential misuse of birth certificates by foreigners for illegal activities and called for swift identification and prosecution of offenders. Hontiveros also urged the OSG to focus on recovering properties illegally acquired by POGOs, suggesting these assets be used to compensate human trafficking survivors as outlined in the Anti-Financial Account and Scamming Act.

Hontiveros further advocated for the passage of the Anti-POGO Act, a legislative measure aimed at curbing illegal offshore gaming operations. Meanwhile, Senator Villanueva pushed for the approval of Senate Bill 2868, which seeks to forfeit all properties used in illegal POGO activities following the cessation of their operations under Executive Order 74, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Villanueva emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts with relevant agencies to extend the crackdown beyond currently identified cases. He cited the case of Alice Guo to illustrate the gravity of foreign nationals illegally obtaining Philippine citizenship and identification documents, supporting the OSG's move to revoke fraudulent birth certificates connected to POGO workers.