Marcos should prioritize bill seeking to void Pogo tax law – Villanueva

Senator Joel Villanueva answered a query from the media during the Kapihan sa Senado forum on July 31, 2024. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — If given a chance, Sen. Joel Villanueva would ask President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to consider as a priority measure the bill that seeks to repeal the law taxing Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).

READ: Villanueva files bill to void Pogo tax law

Villanueva made the pronouncement at the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Wednesday.

The lawmaker said he is willing to push for the prioritization of his measure Senate Bill No. 2752, which calls for the permanent cancellation of Pogo licenses issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

“If I were given a chance to talk to the President, I would appeal that this be made a priority. I am sure the President is so happy about the people’s reaction. I remember shaking hands with him after his Sona (State of the Nation Address), and I told him that I felt it and that I knew that he was very happy that he delivered the right message, not only anticipated but also needed by Filipinos,” Villanueva told reporters.

Senate Bill No. 2752 was filed days after Marcos announced the Pogo ban during his third Sona.

Villanueva also said he wants to discuss his plan with Senate President Francis Escudero.

“I have yet to talk to our Senate President but probably today, I’ll talk to him about it, if we can fast-track this important measure,” he said.

“Even if Pogos are eradicated, for example, by the end of the year, this measure will still not exist because it has yet to be passed. I will still continue to push for this measure. And as I earlier mentioned, it’s because of the fact that we don’t want the next administration or the future administration to invite the Pogos back,” he added.

Under Villanueva’s measure, Pogos will have 30 days from the effectivity of the proposed law to cease their operations.

“Failure or refusal of the firms to close operations shall subject the responsible officers to imprisonment of 12 to 20 years or a fine of P100 million or both, and will subject the foreign offenders to deportation after service of sentence,” his bill reads.

The bill also states that the Bureau of Internal Revenue will still have the authority to collect unpaid taxes from Pogos even after the repeal of Republic Act 11590 or the Act Taxing Pogo, which was signed into law in 2021.