Several senators have voiced their opposition to gambling in all forms in the Philippines.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano reiterated his call to ban all forms of gambling, particularly online gambling, e-sabong, and the controversial operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
“That’s why, to this date, the city of Taguig did not allow any POGO operations. It’s because, now, it’s just like legal gaming forms – parating may unintended consequences yan,” Cayetano said in a recent media interview.
Senator Joel Villanueva highlighted that crimes linked to POGOs include forcible abduction, homicide, illegal detention, and kidnap-for-ransom among others.
The net cost of POGO operations in the country is P99.52 billion annually, excluding substantial social costs such as loss of life, security risks, and reputational harm, Villanueva said, citing the Department of Finance.
“Wala pong ambag ang mga POGO sa ating ekonomiya. Hindi rin po malaki ang nagiging kontribusyon nito sa kinikita ng ating pamahalaan… We are opening the floodgates of hell if we allow illegal activities brought about by online gambling in our country,” he added
Cayetano said his opposition to POGOs is grounded on both economic and moral reasons.
The negative social impact of POGOs, according to him, far outweighs any potential economic benefits.
“Of course, ang argument pa rin ng (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) ay y’ung revenues. Hindi natin kinukwenta kung magkano ba ang ginagastos natin sa peace and order. Magkano ba yung nawawala sa scams o panloloko?” he continued.
To prevent the spread of gamiling among young Filipinos, Senator Robin Padilla filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2602, seeking to penalize the publication and promotion of gambling-related content online and on social media.
“Considering the evolving landscape of social media platforms, this representation has been apprised of the availability of online user-generated content relating to gambling that demonstrates, promotes and provides instructions on betting or staking to the general public,” said Padilla.
Under SBN 2602, the Department of Justice should issue a disabling order to restrict or block access to online content promoting gambling, with notice to the Department of Information and Communications Technology and National Telecommunications Commission to monitor compliance.
Service providers must comply with the disabling orders within 48 hours of the issuance of the orders, his proposal also stated.
Those found publishing or promoting gambling materials online will be penalized with a jail term for up to one year; or a fine of up to to P500,000. Offenders who linked the prohibited content to an online gambling site or received commissions from publishing the content shall face up to three years in jail and a hald a million peso fine.IMT
