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MANILA, Philippines — Tax collection from Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) declined during the first quarter of 2022, which is at P1.55 billion, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) reported.
During the Senate committee on ways and means hearing on Tuesday, Senator Nancy Binay questioned the low tax collection from Pogos from January to March this year.
“When we passed kasi ‘yung (the) Pogo tax law, ang (the) projection was P32 billion for 2022. Parang ang layo (The gap seems wide),” Binay noted.
READ: Bill imposing more taxes on Pogo signed into law
“Important that we collect dahil ginagamit ‘to (because it is used) for Universal Healthcare for Facilities Enhancement Fund,” she added.
BIR Commissioner Lilia Catris Guillermo cited the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary restraining order, and the gambling crackdown of the Chinese government as the reasons.
“I was informed that really Pogo operations declined because of the COVID,” Guillermo responded.
“The gambling crackdown of the Chinese government and the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court, I think that’s the reasons for low collections on Pogo operations,” she went on.
The commissioner, however, shared that tax collection from Pogos is currently “picking up.”