Pasig City bans gambling advertising in public spaces

Pasig City has passed an ordinance prohibiting all forms of public advertising in public spaces within the city’s jurisdiction, Mayor Vico Sotto said Monday.

In a Facebook post, Sotto said that through Ordinance No. 26 s-2025, authored by Pasig City Councilor Paul Senogat, there would be no more billboards, signages, sponsorships, among others, coming from gambling companies.

“May mga bagay na hindi na sakop ng kapangyarihan ng LGU, lalo na kung national/online ang pinaguusapan, pero malaking hakbang na rin ang pagbabawal ng advertisement nito sa ating lungsod,” the city mayor said.

(There are things that are no longer within the power of the LGU, especially when it comes to national/online matters, but banning its advertisements in our city is a big step forward.)

“Bakit? Ang dami ko nang nakita na nalulong at nasira ang buhay dahil sa mga active-play gambling games. Kung kusang hanapin ito ng isang tao, desisyon niya 'yun; pero ibang usapan naman yung maya't maya pinapaalalahanan/hinihikayat ka pabalik doon,” he added.

(Why? I have seen many people get addicted to active-play gambling games and their lives got ruined because of it. If a person voluntarily wants to play it, that is their decision; but it is a different matter if you are constantly being reminded or encouraged to do it.)

Based on the snippet of the ordinance posted by Sotto, the ban includes billboards, transit advertisements for public utility vehicles (PUV) regulated by the local government, such as tricycles, pedicabs, and PUV terminals located within Pasig City, or those servicing routes that pass through the city.

The prohibition also extends to building wraps, posters, LED screens, leaflets, brochures, flyers, and other out-of-home or street-level media or printed advertising media displayed, distributed, or circulated within the city.

Advertising for gambling services may only be permitted within the physical premises of licensed casinos and betting outlets in the city.

Sotto further expressed hope that no one will give the local government a hard time for passing the ordinance. —AOL, GMA Integrated News