No exodus of POGOs — Palace

Malacañang on Thursday said there is no exodus of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) amid the COVID-19 crisis.

However, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said several POGO firms have failed to settle their tax dues, which is a requirement before they can resume operations.

“Ang nangyari po ay mga 20 plus lang out of 60 ang nag-comply doon sa requirement ng BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue],” Roque said in a televised briefing.

“Hindi naman po exodus ‘yan dahil malinaw naman po ang naging polisiya ng Department of Finance, pay up otherwise di kayo puwede mag-POGO operations dito.”

The Palace’s reaction came after Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III told senators on Wednesday that he got information from a building owner in Makati City that offshore gaming operators have started cancelling their lease contracts.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) Chairperson Andrea Domingo earlier said there are around 90,000 Chinese nationals in the POGO industry.

The POGO industry was allowed to partially resume business in May provided that they settle their unpaid taxes with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and follow protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News