SoNa skips U.S. tariff, e-gambling

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business group, acknowledged that several pressing national concerns were noticeably left out of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on Monday, including trade issues, controversial political cases, and the proposed total ban on online gambling.

Among the omissions were the controversial 19-percent tariff on US-bound Philippine exports, the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte and the criminal case against former President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court, and the growing calls for a crackdown on online gambling.

PCCI president Enunina Mangio said the exclusion of the contentious US tariff issue may have been deliberate.

“On the tariff, it’s understandable as negotiations are not yet finalized. It was intentional of him to do so, I guess, that’s understandable,” Mangio told reporters.

The Department of Trade and Industry earlier said that Undersecretary Allan Gepty, the country’s lead negotiator, was still in talks with his US counterpart to lower the steep tariff on Philippine goods entering the American market.

On the issue of online gambling—which senators, religious leaders, and civic groups want banned—Mangio said she is not in favor of a total ban, stressing the sector’s contribution to the economy.

“Maybe that issue just needs tighter regulation and monitoring. The e-games are providing revenue. We stand to lose a lot if they’re totally banned,” she said.

A recent statement by legal firm Arden Consult warned that a total ban could jeopardize over 50,000 jobs. In 2024 alone, licensed e-gaming operators contributed P112 billion to the government, including P16.6 billion to PhilHealth, P46.32 billion to the National Treasury, and nearly P6 billion in taxes.

When asked about the President’s silence on the ICC case against Duterte and the failed impeachment bid against his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, Mangio declined to comment.

The Supreme Court has ruled the impeachment complaint against the Vice President was unconstitutional, citing a violation of the one-year bar rule and due process rights.

Despite the omissions, Mangio said the PCCI remains supportive of the administration’s economic agenda but hopes that the unresolved issues will be addressed in due time.