The Philippine digital rights organization "Digital Pinoys" recently issued a public call for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to thoroughly investigate the real income sources of some social media influencers, suspecting that they earn substantial commissions by endorsing illegal gambling platforms, with the involved amounts possibly reaching tens of millions of pesos, and suspected of tax evasion and money laundering.
The organization's national coordinator, Ronald Gustilo, stated that many influencers frequently showcase lifestyles of luxury cars, mansions, and luxury goods on social media, yet their sources of funds are not transparent. "The information we have indicates that many of them are actually profiting by directing traffic to illegal gambling platforms," he said.
It is reported that these influencers mainly cooperate with gambling platforms through invitation code distribution, promotional links, and fan guidance, earning high percentage commissions, with some even making tens of millions of pesos per month. However, whether these incomes are taxed accurately and whether the funds are legally circulated are still unknown. Digital Pinoys is currently working with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to investigate the business cooperation and financial movements between influencers and gambling platforms.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) disclosed that over 150 illegal gambling platforms have been identified. These platforms generally lack real-name authentication and age restriction mechanisms, and even target teenagers through precise social media advertising, posing serious potential risks.
DICT Assistant Secretary Aboi Paraiso pointed out that illegal platforms not only manipulate winning mechanisms and freeze player accounts but may also leak user information, engaging in fraud, identity theft, and other criminal activities, forming a complete underground black industry chain. "This is no longer just a gambling issue, but a national cybersecurity threat," he said.
Gustilo urged that relevant government departments should promptly initiate a joint investigation to determine whether influencers are endorsing illegal gambling and to clarify their financial compliance. "We cannot allow these endorsers, who are labeled as 'successful individuals,' to continue misleading the public and covering up illegal activities behind the scenes," he said.
