Villanueva wants online gambling ban on gov't offices, employees

Senator Joel Villanueva on Friday urged the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to ban online gambling in all government offices and among civil service personnel.

“Our government can put a stop to online gambling among the ranks of its employees through the Civil Service Commission. We call on the CSC to issue a clear-cut ban on online gambling among civil servants, particularly officials and employees of the government,” Villanueva said.

According to the senator, the CSC has an existing policy prohibiting government employees in casinos. However, Villanueva said the guidelines should be amended to include online gambling platforms.

“Given the changes in the gambling landscape, the CSC should consider coming up with changes to its policy that are appropriate to our situation today with the online gambling platforms easier for workers in government to access,” explained Villanueva. 

“Huwag po nating hintayin na mahulog sila sa kumunoy ng adiksyon, lalo na at napakadali na ngayong tumaya sa online sugal,” he added.

(Let us not wait for them to fall victim to addiction, especially now that the online gambling platforms are readily accessible.)

Several lawmakers have pushed for a ban on the industry, given worries that addiction is soaring, with more gamblers drawn to online platforms, further accelerated by advertisements on social media and e-wallet platforms.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier said he is creating a body that will formulate the government's policy on online gambling, and he is looking to include Catholic bishops in the process because of their recent pronouncements on the issue.

Malacañang also said Marcos will study calls to ban online gambling. 

Earlier, online gaming operators licensed with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) expressed opposition over proposals for a total ban on online gambling in the country.

They warned that Filipinos might shift to unregulated sites on the black market. —VAL, GMA Integrated News