Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos. (File photo from the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)
MANILA, Philippines — The government should keep legitimate Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) because of their economic benefits while weeding out illegal firms, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said on Wednesday during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum.
“If you ask me my personal opinion, we still need them,” Abalos said, speaking in a mix of English and Filipino, when asked about the issue.
“If the same scenario as before that they were quiet and orderly [then it’s okay]. Let’s look at it thoroughly. Right now, in my view, we still need them. The world is in disorder. Things are expensive. There’s inflation all over the world. Let’s think about it thoroughly. Let’s not be hasty. Our mission now is to make sure that those that are illegal and involved in kidnapping will be swept out,” Abalos added.
According to Abalos, the crimes associated with POGOs are a fairly new development.
“When it comes to POGOs, it’s always been dependent on the decision of the president. But if you ask me, it’s only now that the crimes are happening,” he said.
“They help the economy in a big way,” he went on.
POGOs, he noted, hire Filipino who earn salaries from P20,000 to P30,000 monthly.
POGOs account for just 1 percent of the gross domestic product, pumping in a total of P34.68 billion directly and indirectly to the country’s economy, according to the computation of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of that committee, said a large chunk of POGO contributions came from taxes on real estate, followed by taxes on retail stores selling household items, communications devices, and other goods, and franchise taxes.
RELATED STORIES
Pogos’ annual contribution to economy accounts for 1% of GDP — Gatchalian
23,000 Filipinos to lose jobs once POGOs leave, group warns
Banning POGOs will just push workers underground – Salceda