Senator Villanueva Proposes Bill to Abolish POGO Tax Law

Philippine Senator Joel Villanueva has introduced a bill to abolish the tax law governing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). This action comes in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation address, where he declared a ban on all POGOs.

The proposed legislation seeks to permanently revoke POGO licenses and grants operators a 30-day period to halt their operations. In line with President Marcos’s directive, the bill aims for the complete elimination of POGOs from the Philippines. Those who do not comply could face 12 to 20 years of imprisonment, a fine of PHP 100 million ($1.7 million), or both, with foreign offenders being deported after serving their sentences.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Bureau of Internal Revenue continue to collect unpaid taxes from POGOs even after the repeal. It also introduces a Workers’ Transition Program to assist Filipino employees affected by the shutdowns.

Villanueva pointed out that the negative impacts of POGOs far surpass any benefits from their tax payments, advocating for their expulsion from the country. If the bill is passed, it will annul the tax law for POGOs, which was established in 2021.

Source: AGB