Cayetano reiterates call to ban all forms of gambling
July 20, 2024
Cayetano reiterates call to ban all forms of gambling
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday reiterated his call to halt all forms of gambling in the country, particularly online gambling, e-sabong, and the controversial operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
"Ako yung siguro pinaka-outspoken, even when I was (House) Speaker, against all forms of gambling especially online e-sabong and POGO," Cayetano said as he addressed the media on July 18, 2024.
"That's why, to this date, the city of Taguig did not allow any POGO operations. It's because, now, it's just like legal gaming forms - parating may unintended consequences yan," he added.
Two years ago, Cayetano filed the Anti-Online Gambling Act (Senate Bill No. 63) to prohibit gambling activities on the internet and impose penalties on online wagering and betting.
This bill was discussed during the public hearing by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means last Tuesday on improving the country's regulation of online gambling, alongside a bill filed by Committee chair Senator Sherwin Gatchalian to repeal the law taxing POGOs, ultimately rendering them illegal in the country.
In the media interview, Cayetano said his opposition to POGOs is grounded on both economic and moral reasons, arguing that the negative social impact of POGOs far outweighs any supposed economic benefits.
"Of course, ang argument pa rin ng PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) ay y'ung revenues. Hindi natin kinukwenta kung magkano ba ang ginagastos natin sa peace and order. Magkano ba yung nawawala sa scams o panloloko?" he said.
Turning to online gambling in general, Cayetano cited growing concerns over its impact on Filipinos and the generations to come.
"Ano ba y'ung tinatanim natin sa next generation? Wala pa akong country na nakikita [na tumatangkilik] sa mga online gaming na talagang umunlad," he said.
Cayetano, muling nanawagan na ipagbawal ang lahat ng uri ng sugal
Muling nanawagan si Senador Alan Peter Cayetano nitong Huwebes na itigil ang lahat ng uri ng sugal sa bansa, partikular na ang online gambling, e-sabong, at ang kontrobersyal na operasyon ng Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
"Ako yung siguro pinaka-outspoken, even when I was (House) Speaker, against all forms of gambling especially online e-sabong and POGO," sabi ni Cayetano sa kanyang panayam sa media nitong July 18, 2024.
"That's why, to this date, the city of Taguig did not allow any POGO operations. It's because, now, it's just like legal gaming forms - parating may unintended consequences yan," dagdag niya.
Noong 2022, naghain si Cayetano ng Anti-Online Gambling Act o Senate Bill No. 63 upang ipagbawal ang anumang uri ng pagsusugal sa internet at magpataw ng mga parusa sa online wagering at betting.
Kasama ang panukalang ito sa mga tinalakay ng Senate Committee on Ways and Means sa pagdinig nitong Martes upang mapabuti ang regulasyon ng bansa sa online gambling. Kasabay nito ang panukalang inihain ng Committee Chair na si Senator Sherwin Gatchalian upang gawing ilegal ang operasyon ng POGO sa bansa.
Sa kanyang panayam sa media, idiniin ni Cayetano na malaki ang negatibong epekto ng paglaganap ng POGO sa moral ng mga Pilipino kaysa sa maaaring benepisyo nito sa ekonomiya ng bansa.
"Of course, ang argument pa rin ng PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) ay y'ung revenues. Hindi natin kinukwenta kung magkano ba ang ginagastos natin sa peace and order. Magkano ba yung nawawala sa scams o panloloko?" aniya.
Binanggit din ni Cayetano na dapat alalahanin ang mga posible pang epekto ng online gambling sa mga Pilipino at sa susunod na henerasyon.
"Ano ba y'ung tinatanim natin sa next generation? Wala pa akong country na nakikita [na tumatangkilik] sa mga online gaming na talagang umunlad," sabi niya.
