AAMBIS-OWA Party-list Rep. Lex Anthony Cris Colada (Facebook)

A House leader has vowed to look further into the alleged offenses of popular online shopping platform Shopee's affiliate Philippine companies that have recently surfaced. 

Deputy Minority Leader AAMBIS-OWA Party-list Rep. Lex Anthony Cris Colada said he will do so in order to protect Filipino workers as well as the government’s coffers."I've received information that Shopee may have violated more Philippine laws," Colada said in a statement Wednesday, May 22. 

Colada, through his previous statementas, had earlier exposed the e-commerce giant's alleged labor malpractices.

Last week, the solon filed House Resolution (HR) No. 1718, which directed an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the issues being faced by Shopee Philippines and SPX Philippines Inc. or more popularly known as Shopee Express.

These two local subsidiaries of the Singapore-headquartered Sea Group had allegedly practiced union-busting, while their ownership had been found questionable in relation to the Anti-Dummy Law.

But wait, there's more--at least according to Colada. Information that have raised doubts on Shopee's tax payments, as well as compliance with immigration laws, have apparently reached him.

Colada says tax evasion must never be condoned, especially in the case of a company that earns billions in pesos in revenue.

"The government needs to collect more tax revenues to fund our country's important infrastructure and social amelioration programs. As such, we should ensure that big earners like Shopee pay correct taxes to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)," he pointed out.

Also--amid a spate of illegal entry of foreign nationals who work in the country--Colada committed to look into any involvement of Shopee in violation of immigration rules.

"As it is, Shopee's subsidiaries here in the Philippines had been disrespecting Filipino workers' rights. If it's true that they are also encouraging and facilitating illegal immigration, that's another offense against our labor laws, sadly to the detriment of our countrymen," said the party-list lawmaker.

Given lingering concerns on both the quantity and quality of jobs available to Filipinos, Colada believes that illegal foreign workers shouldn't steal meager employment opportunities from locals.

"Foreign investments in the country are welcome and are much needed for the country's progress. But these companies should also respect local laws if they want to stay in the country for the long run," Colada stressed.