Revoke ‘tax-delinquent’ POGO hubs — Hontiveros

By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN

Senator Risa Hontiveros has called on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to immediately revoke the license of tax-delinquent gaming hubs under the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

According to Hontiveros, several registered POGO operators have yet to settle tax deficiencies amounting to at least P50-billion since 2017

“Kanselahin na ang lisensiya kung hindi pa rin maka-comply sa pagbabayad ng buwis,” said Hontiveros.

Hontiveros stressed that PAGCOR should exercise its regulatory powers and “come down hard” on tax-evading POGOs amid reports from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) that there are delays in the reopening of these off-shore gaming hubs—mostly operated by Chinese nationals—due to non-payment of unpaid taxes and non-submission of notarized commitment to pay such debts.

She noted that based on PAGCOR’s Offshore Gaming Regulatory Manual issued on July 3, 2018, any arrears are a ground for non-renewal of license.

Hontiveros explained that failure to discharge financial commitments including payment of correct taxes is a ground for the revocation of licenses.

“BIR na mismo ang nagkumpirma na walang POGO ang nakapagbayad ng utang na P50 billion sa franchise tax at withholding tax para sa muling pagbubukas ngayong may community quarantine,” she said

“Kung hindi sila sumusunod despite repeated warnings, hindi na lang dapat temporary closure ang katapat. It’s time to cease their operations.”

The BIR earlier said that all the 50 offshore online casinos are not paying their franchise taxes due to issues of jurisdiction.

POGO operators have argued that since they do not operate in the Philippines, they are not covered by the country’s jurisdiction.

However, Hontiveros said that an Ad Hoc Licensing Committee was created by PAGCOR to handle, process and give final recommendation on the issuance of POGO licenses.

“Kumikita sila at nakakapag-operate sa pamamagitan ng mga service providers that are based in the country. Kaya marapat lang na magbayad din sila gaya ng mga nandito sa Pilipinas,” she stressed.

Hontiveros also urged the authorities to run over “bigger fish” and to track down big-time tax evaders such as POGOs.

“Kung ang maliliit na negosyo, agad napapasara dahil sa hindi pagbabayad ng tamang buwis, all the more that we should be strictly enforcing the same sanction on tax-delinquent POGOs na bilyon-bilyon ang pagkakautang sa gobyerno. PAGCOR should ensure that the country’s best interests are being upheld. Hindi interes lang ng POGO,” she said.

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