Palace backs move to have PH offshore gaming operators register with BIR

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang stood by the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) move to require Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) register first with the tax agency before getting a license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

The move was an effort to trace Chinese nationals working in the country’s online gaming industry.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the proposal was a “good measure” to determine the number of Chinese nationals violating Philippine laws.

“That’s a good measure to determine exactly how many Chinese nationals who are here in violation of our laws,” Panelo said in a press briefing.

“Sa palagay ko maganda iyong sinasabi ng BIR Commissioner,” he added.

The BIR earlier said that BIR registration is needed for the renewal of license to operate from the Pagcor.

Under the Memorandum Circular (RMC) 78-2018, all foreign and Philippine-based POGOs, including those with offshore licenses are required to register with BIR before Pagcor licenses are renewed.

Panelo, however, clarified that Malacañang is not alarmed as to the situation of illegal Chinese workers in the country, adding that the BIR could use the move to efficiently collect correct corporate tax by monitoring the number of Chinese nationals in the country.

“Siguro hindi naman alarmed, kung hindi siguro gusto talagang ma-determine ng BIR iyong number of nationals kasi konektado iyan sa declaration ng income eh, para makakolekta tayo ng tamang corporate tax,” he said. /je