Philippine Senator Joel Villanueva has introduced a bill aimed at repealing the tax law on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
This move follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to ban all POGOs in his recent State of the Nation address.
The proposed Senate Bill seeks to revoke POGO licenses permanently and grants a 30-day period for these operators to cease their activities.
In line with President Marcos’s directive, it is essential to ensure the complete removal of POGOs from the Philippines. The bill stipulates that failure to comply could result in imprisonment for 12 to 20 years, a fine of PHP100 million ($1.7 million), or both, with foreign offenders facing deportation after serving their sentences.
The bill also mandates that the Bureau of Internal Revenue continue collecting unpaid taxes from POGOs despite the repeal. Additionally, a Workers’ Transition Program will be implemented to assist Filipino workers affected by the closure.
Villanueva emphasized that the negative impacts of POGOs far outweigh any benefits from their tax payments, advocating for their expulsion from the country. If passed, the bill will repeal the law taxing POGOs enacted in 2021.
