Marcos recognises PAGCOR’s $92M dividend contribution
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has been recognised by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after remitting PHP5.67 billion ($92.1 million) in dividends to the national government in 2025, making it the fifth-largest contributor among 50 government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs).
During the 2026 GOCC Day celebration at Malacañang Palace, Marcos presented a Certificate of Recognition to PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro Tengco, citing the regulator’s contribution to government revenues and national development.
The dividend remittance represented 50 per cent of PAGCOR’s 2025 income, in line with Republic Act No. 7656, or the Dividends Law, which requires GOCCs to remit at least half of their annual net earnings to the national government.
Marcos: Every peso strengthens public services
In his keynote address, Marcos said GOCCs play a central role in funding public services without increasing the tax burden on Filipinos.
“For decades now, our GOCCs have stood as ‘paragons of progress, equity, and opportunity’,” the President said. “And every peso that you have remitted strengthens the government’s capacity to deliver better services without imposing additional tax burdens on ordinary Filipinos.”
“It is proof that sound governance and fiscal responsibility can create opportunities for our people while sparing them from bearing greater financial sacrifice,” he added.
The President said dividend collections from GOCCs had exceeded the previous year’s total, reaching about PHP139.8 billion ($2.8 billion) from 50 state-owned firms as of this month. He said the funds could finance nearly 40,000 classrooms, more than 165,000 homes for Filipino families or up to 9,320 kilometres of farm-to-market roads.
Marcos also praised the performance of state corporations recognised during the event.
“You have shown that government institutions can deliver with professionalism, produce meaningful results, and earn the trust of the Filipino people,” he said. The President urged GOCCs to continue modernising their operations while maintaining prudent management of public funds.
“Let us remain steadfast in practising fiscal discipline. Public resources must never be treated as privileges to be spent, but as responsibilities to be managed wisely, transparently, and intentionally.”
Tengco vows continued fiscal discipline
Tengco said the recognition reflected PAGCOR‘s continued focus on supporting government programmes despite economic headwinds.
“Despite recent challenges brought about by global uncertainties, PAGCOR remains resolute in its commitment to support nation-building initiatives that help uplift the lives of Filipinos,” he said. “We will continue to exercise fiscal discipline and work even harder to generate greater revenues for the benefit of the nation.”
Gaming revenues continue to fund public programmes
The recognition comes days after PAGCOR announced a PHP60 million ($1 million) scholarship programme that will support 2,000 students from low-income families in Bulacan. The regulator has already released the first PHP10 million ($162,501) tranche to launch the initiative, which will fund both university and technical-vocational education.
The scholarship programme forms part of PAGCOR’s broader effort to channel gaming revenues into public services. According to its 2025 financial results, the regulator contributed PHP66.95 billion ($1.09 billion) to nation-building initiatives despite a 5.09 per cent decline in total revenues.
Mobile-first gaming, localised payments and AI-powered retention are redefining Asia’s gaming landscape. Explore the latest regulatory developments, market shifts and emerging opportunities in the SiGMA Asia Market Report 2026. Check out now.
