Villanueva to BIR: Probe collector of POGOs' 'under the table' taxes

Senator Joel Villanueva on Friday nudged the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to probe the identity of the individual who allegedly collects "under the table" taxes from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.

This was after Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr. tweeted on Thursday that "tax-evading POGOs did pay out, as you must suspect, but under the table which puzzled them."

Opposition Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said that aside from the Department of Finance, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and BIR, the Senate should also launch an investigation on the matter.

"Definitely, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee should look into it too," he said in a message.

The said Senate panel on accountability of public officers and investigations is chaired by Senator Richard Gordon.

Villanueva, chair of the Senate committee on labor, said the Cabinet official's tweet confirms that there is indeed illegal activity in the POGO industry.

"If they are not paying taxes in BIR, then they are not paying taxes. The BIR should collect the unpaid taxes and investigate this 'unnamed' collector," he said in a tweet.

"Any legitimate enterprise would know that taxes and other fees must only be paid with legitimate institutions such as the BIR and its authorized agent banks, and not with individuals," he added.

Last Sunday, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation warned of the looming exodus of POGOs amid tax issues with the government.

Villanueva, along with other senators, said the possible egress of POGO firms would not be a loss to the economy and can rather be considered "good riddance."

Malacañang said the offshore gaming firms are free to leave the country if they would not abide with the tax rules of the land.

“We need them because we need the revenues but unless they pay up, goodbye,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

The Accredited Service Providers of PAGCOR, meanwhile, urged lawmakers to "carefully consider" the economic impact of losing the POGO industry. —LBG, GMA News