Salvador Panelo backs BIR registration of gaming operators

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday expressed support for efforts to ensure that foreign and Philippine-based offshore gaming operators (POGOs) would register with the tax bureau before their licenses can be renewed. 

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the proposal could help the government determine the number of Chinese nationals who are working illegaly in the Philippines. 

“That’s a good measure to determine exactly how many Chinese nationals who are here in violation of our laws,” Panelo said in a press briefing. 

Panelo clarified that the influx of Chinese workers in the country is not alarming. 

“Perhaps the Bureau of Internal Revenue only wants to determine the number of nationals because it is connected with the declaration of income, to collect the right corporate tax,” he said. 

Earlier, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) asked the cooperation of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) on requiring POGO’s to register with the tax agency before their licenses to operate can be renewed by the gaming regulator. 

The tax bureau has also signified its intention to join an interagency task force that seeks to check and monitor the number of Chinese nationals who are working in the on-line gaming industry. 

The BIR previously issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 78-2018, which requires all foreign and Philippine-based gaming operators, including those with offshore licenses, to register with the tax agency as a prerequisite in the renewal of their PAGCOR licenses. 

Resident foreign corporation also covers POGOs based outside the Philippines.