Latest news with #HouseBill1876
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
Online gambling a health issue, says DOH head
Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said Wednesday that he agrees with efforts to regulate or implement a total ban on online gambling. During an interview at the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) National Mayors' Forum 2025 in SMX Aura on Wednesday, Herbosa said he believes addressing online gambling is a health issue. 'Parang pag-open mo ng cellphone mo may gambling na agad, open ka ng social media mo may gambling advertisement. So sa akin, mental health issue ito. It's still a health issue,' he shared. The Health Secretary added that gambling could affect a person's capacity to perform his or her job or can even cause harm, which was why he agreed that online gambling must be strictly regulated or banned totally. 'Kung hindi ka makatrabaho… dahil na-discover ko nga sa road safety, yung mga bus driver kaya pala naa-accident, buong gabi nagga-gambling. Tapos magdadrive, napupuyat kasusugal. So naapektuhan pa, may namamatay pa dahil sa tutulog-tulog,' he continued. (It could prevent you from working properly… what I discovered regarding road safety, bus drivers get into accidents because they have been gambling ll night. Then they would drive after not getting enough rest. There is an effect, there have been deaths because they fell asleep.) Earlier, lawmakers from Congress have pushed for an outright ban on online gambling, stating that it was an epidemic that "threatens the soul of the nation." "Online gambling is not just a vice—it is a virus. It is an addiction that eats away at the moral fiber of our society. It erodes the values we teach our children, and it devastates the finances of Filipino families," House Bill 1876 author Manila Representative Benny Abante in a press conference. Digital finance companies also echoed the lawmakers' calls for regulation or a total ban, seeking for further protection for Filipino consumers and mitigation of the risks in relation to e-gambling. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he will be studying calls on the ban on online gambling, including it's possible effects on the Philippine economy and its residents. — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH online gambling ban pushed anew in House, Senate
More lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and the Senate are keen on seeking an outright ban on online gambling, arguing that industry regulation as proposed by some of their other colleagues would not be enough. Manila Representative Benny Abante has filed House Bill 1876 that aims to impose a ban on online gambling and offsite betting. He said online gambling has become an epidemic that "threatens the soul of the nation." "Online gambling is not just a vice—it is a virus. It is an addiction that eats away at the moral fiber of our society. It erodes the values we teach our children, and it devastates the finances of Filipino families," Abante said in a press conference. "Gambling has always profited off addiction. And today, it is worse because it has gone digital, viral, and global. There is nowhere a gambling addict can go to resist temptation because an addict cannot avoid casinos or cockpits if these are in the palms of their hands," Abante added. Abante then said that while online gambling generates billions of government revenues that fund social services such as classrooms and healthcare, the risk is not worth it. "No amount of government revenue can justify the human costs of this evil pastime. We cannot continue to build schools or roads with money soaked in the blood of fathers who have lost their savings, or of children who gambled away their futures," Abante said. "We should not heal our citizens with resources generated from an industry that harms our fellow Filipinos," Abante added. Several lawmakers have been split on how to deal with the proliferation of online gambling and casinos, with some pushing for restrictions while others seek an outright ban. In the upper chamber, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri also earlier filed a similar measure last July 7 as part of his 10 priority measures. 'Epidemic' For his part, Senator Raffy Tulfo said Tuesday that he will also file a bill seeking a total ban—not just merely regulation—of online gambling in the country, which he called an "epidemic." "Merong nagaganap na epidemic ngayon sa ating bansa at lumalala nang lumalala ang epidemic na ito. It's about time na lahat tayo magtulung-tulungan para magamot itong malalang epidemic," he said in a press conference. (There is an epidemic happening in our country right now and it's getting worse and worse. It's about time that we all work together to address this serious epidemic.) Ban, not regulate Tulfo said he is not for regulating online gambling despite concerns that a total ban would result in its underground operations. He said it is the job of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to address such concerns. He also said that even government officials linked in the proliferation of online gambling should be investigated. "That has to be investigated. Dapat imbestigahan—sino 'yung mga pulitiko, sino 'yung mga malalaking opisyal na involved sa online gambling, online gaming. Eh 'di sampahan ng kaso sa Ombudsman, sampahan ng kaso sa Sandiganbayan. Find out who these people are," he said. (That has to be investigated. Probes should be launched to uncover the politicians and top officials involved in online gambling and online gaming. Cases should be filed against them before the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan. Find out who these people are.) "Kahit na sabihin nating legal, dapat ang mga pulitiko ay nagsisilbi sa taumbayan. Ang pangit naman 'yung kanilang pinagsisilbihan, 'yun 'yung tinatamaan nu'ng kanilang negosyo o kanilang involvement," he added. (Even if they say that's legal, politicians should serve the people. It doesn't look good if the people they are supposed to serve are affected by their business or affiliation with online gambling.) Even accredited platforms In his bill, Tulfo said he would push for the ban of all online gaming platforms, including those accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). The senator also called on PAGCOR to prohibit all forms of advertisements of online gambling, even in social media, television and radio. PAGCOR earlier announced that it has ordered gaming licensees and other industry stakeholders to dismantle all billboards and out-of-home gambling advertisements by August 15 this year. Tulfo further expressed hope that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will mention in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28 the country's worsening problem with online gambling. "Sana makarating sa Pangulo kung gaano kalala na itong problema sa online gaming. At sana 'wag siyang lokohin, meaning 'wag siyang bigyan ng wrong information. Kasi usually 'yung ating Pangulo, umaasa lang naman 'yan doon sa mga advisers niya, sa mga alter ego niya kung ano sinasabi sa kanya, 'yun ang pinapakinggan niya," he added. (I hope this bad problem in online gaming reaches the President. And I hope he doesn't get fooled by the people giving him advice.) Gov't-regulated Also on Thursday, digital finance companies association FinTech Alliance PH said it is pushing for stricter regulations and enhanced regulatory measures for licensed online gaming platforms and their users. FinTech Alliance PH includes major players in the digital finance sector such as GCash, RCBC, CIMB Bank, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, Maya, Tonik, GoTyme Bank, GrabPay, Xendit, and Smart Communications. Over the weekend, three of the country's largest integrated resort-casino operators assured that their online gaming operations comply with laws and regulations. In a joint statement, Solaire Resort, Newport World Resorts, and Okada Manila said, "Our online gaming operations are a regulated and responsibly managed extension of our operations—designed to complement our primary offerings." Earlier, online gaming operators licensed with PAGCOR called for stronger regulation but warned against a total ban on their industry, saying that doing so may prompt Filipino users to shift to unregulated sites in the black market. They also said a ban would risk losing billions of pesos in revenue for the Philippines, instead of keeping pace with regional neighbors that are modernizing gaming regulations to attract investments and protect players. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
