Villanueva files bill to repeal POGO law, ban ops

Senator Joel Villanueva has filed Senate Bill No. 2752 to repeal the law taxing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and permanently cancel their licenses, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to ban them.

The bill proposes a 30-day period for POGOs to cease operations, with penalties including 12 to 20 years imprisonment, a P100 million fine, or both, and deportation for foreign offenders.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue will still be tasked with collecting outstanding taxes from POGOs, and a Workers' Transition Program will be established to support affected Filipino workers.

Villanueva argued that the negative consequences of POGOs, including associated crimes and social ills, outweigh any tax revenue they generate.

He plans to ask President Marcos Jr. to make the anti-POGO bill a priority measure to ensure the ban extends beyond the current administration.

Villanueva also intends to discuss the fast-tracking of the bill with Senate President Francis Escudero.

He expressed concern about the potential influence of POGOs on various branches of government.