Duterte gives POGOs 3 days to settle liabilities

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday night gave a three-day ultimatum to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) to settle their financial liabilities.

“Itong POGO, leche ka, hindi lang ito Chinese (These POGOs, not only Chinese are involved) but also Filipinos. You better settle that utang or else gawin ko kayong pugo (debts or I will turn into quails),” Duterte said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

Duterte initially said that he is only giving the service providers 24 hours, but later extended it to three days.

“I’m giving you at least three days, that’s good enough,” the president said.

“Sinasabi ko na sa Inyo, wag nyong lolokohin ang mga Pilipino kasi ang mga Pilipino, hindi loko-loko (I’m telling you never fool the Filipinos because they’re no screwballs),” he added.

The Department of Finance had started its crackdown on tax-dodging POGO services providers, including those operating without Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) registration.

In September, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said that the BIR had issued 130  notices to collect P21.62 billion in tax liabilities from Pogos.

Among those closed in September was Great Empire Gaming and Amusement Corp. (Gegac), which is one of the biggest POGO service providers in the country.