President Marcos Commends PAGCOR for FATF Grey List Exit

Discover how PAGCOR’s reforms helped the Philippines exit the FATF grey list—boosting investor trust and reshaping the gaming sector for the better.

The President praises PAGCOR’s efforts as the country clears a key global compliance hurdle.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has publicly praised the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for its key role in helping the country exit the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list. The recognition highlights PAGCOR’s growing influence in national financial and regulatory reform efforts.

Led by Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco, PAGCOR implemented significant compliance reforms across the gaming sector. These included stricter customer verification measures, closer oversight of junket operations, and more aggressive monitoring of licensees. The improvements were part of the broader national effort to address FATF concerns over anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF).

“We welcome the President’s acknowledgement,” said Tengco. “It affirms our commitment to building a secure and transparent gaming industry.”

The country’s successful removal from the grey list — officially confirmed on February 21, 2025 — was not only a diplomatic milestone, but also a signal to global investors that the Philippines is serious about financial integrity.

PAGCOR noted an uptick in interest for online gaming licenses and SCBPO (Special Class Business Process Outsourcing) registrations following the announcement, suggesting renewed investor confidence in the Philippine gaming sector.

The Department of Finance echoed this sentiment, calling the grey list removal a step forward in attracting foreign direct investments and restoring international financial credibility.

Still, regulators caution that sustaining these gains will require continued diligence, especially as gaming operations become more digital and cross-border in nature.

Read related article: The Philippines Exits FATF Grey List. What’s Next?