By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will study proposals to regulate online gambling platforms, Malacañang reiterated Tuesday, following various measures being filed by senators seeking to impose stricter regulations or even ban online gambling altogether.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the remarks when asked for a comment on Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri’s statement naming the Philippines as a “valedictorian” in online gambling.
“Ang Pangulo po ay nakikisimpatiya sa mga pamilya na nabibiktima ng ganitong klaseng gambling dahil po iyong iba nilang kasama sa bahay ay nagiging gumon sa pagsusugal,” she said.
Castro mentioned the proposal of the Department of Finance (DOF) to impose taxes to restrict online gaming, especially if it will save Filipinos from the horrors of gambling addiction.
“So, iyan po ay tinitingnan din po ng Pangulo para mas maganda po ang maging polisiya pagdating po sa online gambling,” she continued.
On Monday, Zubiri filed a bill calling for a complete prohibition of online gambling in the country, citing what he called a growing “silent epidemic” of gambling addiction, especially among Filipino youth.
“Hindi lang mga [nakatatanda] ang apektado ng gambling addiction, pati na ang ating mga kabataan. For as long as gambling is within reach by almost anyone online, this is a social cancer that will continue to fester,” he said.
“We need to send a strong message that online gambling is not just a vice; it’s now a public health risk,” the senator added.
Meanwhile, other senators seek tighter regulation through licensing and taxation—with Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian proposing a P10,000 minimum cash-in requirement to discourage “impulsive” betting, among other regulations.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros has also filed a bill seeking to ban online gambling access in e-wallets and super apps and also barring those aged below 21 from online gambling platforms.
Sen. JV Ejercito also joined his colleagues in the Senate in proposing stringent government actions to address the destructive impacts of online gambling on Filipino families—stressing that online gambling has become a worsening social crisis than Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
“Sa POGO, kadalasan dayuhan ang biktima. Pero sa online gambling, mismong mga kababayan natin ang tinatamaan, mga manggagawa, mga magulang, pati kabataan. Mas masahol ito dahil tayo mismo ang unti-unting nasisira,” Ejercito said in a statement.
The senator urged the National Telecommunications Commission to allow families to request the blocking of gambling sites in efforts to protect their vulnerable family members.
During the Monday press briefing, Castro said that the administration would also intensify efforts against illegal or unregistered online gaming platforms should the DOF’s proposed tax be imposed.
“Gusto nating limitahan ang ganitong klaseng mga pagsusugal at mabawasan ang mga gumon sa sugal at ito po ay para sa taumbayan at ang lahat ng puwedeng suggestion at maaaring batas para ito ay masawata, hindi naman po iyan tututulan ng ating Pangulo,” the Palace official said.
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