THE House Committee on Games and Amusements said it will also give priority to an investigation into the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) industry when the Congressional session resumes, its chairman said.
“We still have to verify the exact date to ensure that most if not all members will be present but definitely it will be our priority” Representative Eric G. Yapof ACT-CIS Party List told BusinessWorld in a text message last week.
The Committee started its inquiry on Dec. 10; among its preliminary findings are that government agencies regulating the industry have no unified estimates on POGO employee numbers.
The panel said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) failed to coordinate their efforts in monitoring the industry.
The next inquiry hopes to propose measures to help the government agencies regulate POGOs and to address various issues surrounding the industry, including tax evasion and unregistered workers.
Three House Resolutions have been filed with the House Committee on Games and Amusements and one with the House Committee on Labor and Employment to investigate the offshore gaming operators.
Meanwhile, a bill that seeks to tax alien individuals working in offshore gaming firms has been declared a priority by the House Committee on Ways and Means.
The committee, chaired by Rep. Jose Maria Clemente S. Salceda of the second district of Albay, endorsed for plenary approval House Bill 5777 on Nov. 19. The measure is expected to generate P20 billion to P50 billion worth of revenue for the government.
Congress is currently on a month-long recess and is expected to resume session on Jan. 20. — Genshen L. Espedido
