Sen Villanueva pushes permanent ban on POGOs

Senator Joel Villanueva stated on Wednesday that he would ask President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize his bill banning Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Villanueva emphasized the need for a permanent ban on POGOs to prevent their revival in future administrations, citing concerns over potential corruption and influence within government branches.

The senator also mentioned that complaints about illegal activities related to POGOs have been forwarded by him to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Villanueva’s bill, Senate Bill No. 2752, seeks to repeal the law taxing POGOs and was filed days after Marcos announced a ban on all POGOs in his third State of the Nation Address.

Under Villanueva's measure, POGOs will have 30 days from the effectivity of the proposed law to cease their operations, with penalties including imprisonment for responsible officers and deportation for foreign offenders.

The bill also ensures that the Bureau of Internal Revenue retains authority to collect unpaid taxes from POGOs even after the repeal of Republic Act 11590.