Warrant Issued for Porac Mayor Jaime Capil Over Illegal Offshore Gaming Charges

The legal predicament of Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil intensified after the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 265 in Pasig City issued an arrest warrant against him. The issuance follows investigations into the illegal offshore gaming hub "Lucky South 99," raided in Porac.

Capil faces seven counts of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, specifically Sections 3(e) and 3(j) of Republic Act 3019. The warrant, dated November 28, 2025, instructs authorities to apprehend the mayor at the Porac Municipal Hall or any other location where he might be found, and to bring him before the court.

The court has set bail at ₱90,000 covering all charges, payable via cash deposit or corporate surety. In line with Supreme Court protocols, the arrest execution will require the use of body-worn cameras and alternative recording devices.

These charges arise from a large illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) facility uncovered in Porac. Earlier, in April, the Office of the Ombudsman had already deemed Capil guilty of gross neglect of duty — ordering his dismissal from public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and imposing a lifetime ban from holding government positions.

Nonetheless, Capil was re-elected as mayor during the May 2025 elections, despite facing these allegations.

The cases were filed by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), following extensive raids on the illicit gaming operation. The PAOCC continues to crackdown on local officials believed to be involved in unauthorized POGO activities nationwide.