No mention of online gambling in SONA 2025 a ‘missed opportunity’, say senators

Several senators on Monday expressed disappointment that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. failed to mention the government's steps to address the proliferation of online gambling in the country during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Senate majority leader Joel Villanueva, who is pushing for the total ban of online gambling, lamented how Marcos seemingly sidestepped the issue which “wreaks havoc on the lives of our people.”

“Nakapanghihinayang lamang na hindi nabanggit ng Pangulo ang kanyang posisyon laban sa salot na dulot ng online gambling. Patuloy po ang panawagan natin–ipagbawal na po ito nang tuluyan. Wala itong naiaambag na mabuti sa ating lipunan,” Villanueva said. 

(It is unfortunate that the President did not mention his position against the consequences of online gambling. We continue to call for its total ban as it does not contribute anything good to our society.)

Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, said that Marcos not tackling the issue of online gambling in his SONA was a “missed opportunity.”

“Sayang, walang pagbanggit sa online gambling. ‘Yun din ‘yung isang hinahinan ko ng resolution recently, containing at least a dozen provisions, kasama na ‘yung pag-ban ng koneksyon sa gitna ng mga online gambling platforms at mga e-wallets or super apps,” Hontiveros said in an ambush interview.

(Too bad he didn’t mention anything about online gambling. I filed a resolution about that recently, containing at least a dozen provisions, including banning the connection between online gambling platforms and e-wallets and super apps.) 

“Missed opportunity, sayang, hindi niya binanggit ‘yun,” she added. 

(It’s a missed opportunity that he didn’t mention that.) 

Hontiveros earlier filed a bill seeking to ban online gambling access in e-wallets and super apps. The measure also seeks to bar those aged below 21 from online gambling platforms and prohibits the advertisement of online gambling in public spaces, tri-media, and social media.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano also said his personal wishlist for the SONA was the action against online gambling.

“In the same manner na nag-standing ovation sa POGO, that’s one thing na kung may wishlist ako, sana nag-announce ng total ban ng online gaming,” he said in an ambush interview.

(In the same manner that there was a standing ovation when he mentioned the POGO ban, I would have wanted it if Marcos announced a total ban on online gaming as well.) 

Cayetano has filed the Anti-Online Gambling Advertisement Act of 2025, which seeks to ban gambling promotions across all media platforms. 

This measure complements his sister Senator Pia Cayetano’s Ban on Online Gambling Act, aiming to prohibit both domestic and offshore online gambling. — RF, GMA Integrated News