As a long-time business process outsourcing (BPO) worker, I need to come to the defense of BPOs. In no way can Philippine offshore gaming operators or Pogos be considered similar to BPOs. While the two share the same method of doing business, the former operate abroad simply because gambling is illegal in China.
It is this ill purpose which seems to expose Pogos as a law-breaking, decadent giant. It’s as if the Philippines, on an industrial scale, is being exploited in order to bypass the domestic law of China.
Do not be victimized by lies. BPOs account for at least 15 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, contrary to the government’s statement that the sector contributes almost nothing. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Internal Revenue has reported that, in 2019 alone,
Pogos failed to pay a staggering amount of at least P50 billion in taxes.
Pogos continue to get away with their tax liabilities, while millions of Filipinos are suffering from high taxes fueled by the TRAIN law. And on top of this, the police arrest ordinary people engaging in gambling, while the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. pushes for the reopening of Pogos.
Considering the recent claim by Malacañang, could BPOs be at risk of being shut down just like what happened to ABS-CBN?
Why is the government more protective of China instead of its own people? Have Filipinos become slaves in their own land?
IAN CARLO ARAGON
iancarloaragon@gmail.com