Not a loss to PH economy: POGO exodus proves ‘unwillingness to pay correct taxes,’ says Villanueva

By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN

Senator Joel Villanueva believed that the reported exodus of offshore gaming hubs under the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) only proved “their unwillingness to pay the correct taxes.”

Villanueva said the impending exit of two major players in the POGO industry solidifies his position that the offshore gaming industry—mostly run by Chinese operators—have “very little, if at all, economic contribution to the country.”

“POGOs won’t be a loss to the Philippine economy. We should attract companies that invest in Filipino people. Good riddance,” said Villanueva.

Villanueva stressed that the government “bent over backwards” just to make them comply and yet these firms “squandered all the opportunities given to them.”

“Sobra-sobra na nga po ang pagkakataon na ibinigay sa mga POGO, ngunit kitang-kita naman po natin na winaldas lang nila ito. Hindi po natin dapat patuluyin sa ating bayan ang mga negosyong walang balak tumalima sa ating mga batas at panuntunan,” he said.

Villanueva insisted that the departing POGO player “should still pay the taxes” they owe from the government.

“Otherwise, we should blacklist them and name them publicly so that other countries will be warned about the behavior of these companies,” he added.

Villanueva’s Senate Committee on Labor had uncovered irregularities involving the influx of illegal foreign workers which eventually was tied to the rise of the POGO sector in the country.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) also disclosed to Villanueva’s panel that POGO firms owe the government at least P50 billion in unpaid taxes in 2019.

The bureau even crafted last month a set of guidelines for POGO firms to make payments and commit to settle past obligations just to be allowed to resume its operations.

On the other hand, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) disclosed that over the course of its labor inspections in 2019, it discovered some 6,678 illegal foreign workers in PAGCOR-licensed POGO firms and POGO service providers.

The rise of offshore gaming industry has also been linked to rising criminality and prostitution, among others.

“The failure of POGOs to adhere to our laws resulted in their exit. This is what happened, plain and simple,” said Villanueva.

Villanueva has called on the government to ramp up its efforts to boost long-term public investments to attract new foreign direct investments in the country “which in turn will result in the creation of massive employment for our people.”

“The Philippines remains to be open for business, and we welcome to our shores investors who are able to create jobs and livelihood for our people. At the same time, we want enterprises that are responsible and faithful to the laws of our land,” he said.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)