Sinabi ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) nitong Huwebes na inutusan nito ang mga e-wallet na alisin ang icons at links ng mga online gambling platforms sa loob ng 48 oras o dalawang araw.
Inihayag ito ni BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan sa ginanap na pagdinig ng Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, tungkol sa online gambling.
Ayon kay Tangonan, dapat wala nang koneksyon ang mga e-wallet sa mga online gaming platforms sa Linggo.
“The Monetary Board of the [BSP] has approved our policy that we asked or we order, direct the BSP supervising institutions to take down and remove all icons and links redirecting to gambling sites,” sabi ni Tangonan.
Nagbabala naman ang tagapangulo ng komite na si Sen. Erwin Tulfo na isa-cite in contempt niya ang mga opisyal ng BSP kapat may nakita pa siyang link at icon ng mga online gambling sa mga e-wallet providers pagdating Linggo ng umaga.
“‘Huwag niyong biru-biruin ang komiteng ito. We have a problem, we have a crisis. Hindi ito basta-basta. When you say huling oras ng Saturday [ang deadline], sige pagbibigyan kita hanggang Sunday. ‘Pag Sunday morning meron pa ring mga games sa e-wallets, iko-contempt ka namin,” ayon kay Tulfo.
Kinuwestiyon naman ng ilang senador gaya nina Alan Peter Cayetano at Joel Villanueva, kung bakit hindi puwedeng ipaalis kaagad ang mga icon at link.
“We provided 48 hours because…we want to give time to the BSP’s supervising institutions to take down those in-app links and icons to the online gambling sites. The other reason is so that we can also provide time for the customers, consumers to withdraw their funds from the online gaming account once they learn that we are already removing the links from the mobile payment applications and websites,” paliwanag ni Tangonan.
Inihayag naman ng mobile wallets na GCash at Maya, na tatalima sila sa direktiba ng BSP.
"We share the BSP’s commitment to ensuring that digital financial services are used responsibly and in ways that protect the welfare of Filipinos," ayon sa GCash, na pinamamahalaan ng G-Xchange Inc. (GXI),
"Once we receive the official directive, we will immediately enforce the necessary changes to ensure compliance and safeguard our users," dagdag nito.
Pahayag naman ng Maya, "The update will be implemented in line with the BSP’s guidance. We assure customers that their accounts and transactions remain secure and fully operational."
"We remain focused on serving our customers while fully complying with regulatory requirements," dagdag nito.—mula sa ulat ni Giselle Ombay/FRJ GMA Integrated News
