The Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has banned its own staff, and local government officials, from engaging in online gambling. That is according to a Tuesday directive, which says violators risk administrative and/or criminal sanctions under “pertinent laws, rules, and regulations”.
The order, which takes effect immediately, covers all DILG personnel, including employees of its attached agencies, as well as all officials and employees of all local government units (LGUs).
The news comes against a backdrop of political debate on the issue of licensed domestic online gambling in the Philippines.
The Philippine Senate is to hold hearings on Thursday regarding four separate bills, each sponsored by a different source, addressing the issue.
The DILG’s staff directive about online gambling recalled that all government officials and employees were required to “comply with the prohibition” of going to brick-and-mortar casinos in the country.
“Reports have reached this department that many government officials and employees have been engaging in online gambling activities, which is similar to the evil sought to be prevented by Memorandum Circular No. 06, series of 2016,” stated the DILG. “Such acts adversely affect the integrity and credibility of government service.”
It added that the original intent of Memorandum Circular No. 06 “has been undermined by the proliferation and accessibility of online gambling platforms, which now pose a similar, if not greater, threat to the ethical standards expected of public officials and employees”.
The department’s move was welcomed by Philippine Senate majority leader Joel Villanueva, as cited by local media.
“This is a step in the right direction as it provides concrete guidelines for all levels of local government,” Mr Villanueva reportedly said.
“By taking a firm stand against online gambling, the DILG is protecting the integrity of public service and setting a strong example for other agencies to follow,” he added.
Mr Villanueva was also cited as thanking Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla for what he said was a response to his own call for prohibition, saying the directive filled a gap in regulation of the conduct of public officials.
The Senate majority leader reportedly urged the country’s Civil Service Commission to adopt a similar policy to cover all civil servants nationwide.
A government website says the DILG is responsible for “promoting peace and order, ensuring public safety and strengthening local government capability aimed towards the effectiveness of basic services to the citizenry”.
Last month Alejandro Tengco, the chairman of the country’s gaming regulator, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor), said licensed domestic online gambling raised the equivalent of US$1.8-billion annually for the public coffers. He suggested the answer to lawmakers’ concerns about online gambling within the country was tighter control, not a total ban.
Pagcor and industry providers have also said they are focused on responsible gambling measures – including vetting of advertising – and on mitigating harm to consumers.
A number of online gambling operators in the Philippines recently agreed to set up “PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines” to ensure high standards in the industry.
