Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva formally sought to ban the alleged crime-laden operation of China-backed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) .

This after Villanueva filed Senate Bill 1281 which seeks to prohibit online gambling and ‘’the placing of wagers or bets through the internet or any form of online gambling activities.’’

In the definition of terms in the bill, internet refers to an international computer network of inter-operable packet switched data networks.It includes the electronic medium in which line communication takes place.

Internet gambling or online gambling refers to placing, receiving, or otherwise knowingly transmitting a bet or wager by any means which involves the use, in whole or in part, of the internet.

On the prohibition of online gambling and similar acts, the penal clause of the bill carries a jail term from one month to six months or a fine of not less than P100,000 nor more than P500,000 at the discretion of the court.

If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, the maximum penalty of five years and the fine of P500,000 shall be imposed upon the president, director/s, manager, or managing partner/s and/or responsible officer/s thereof.

If the offender is a public officer or employee, or if such public officer or employee promotes, encourages, aids, or abets the promotion or conduct of online gambling, the maximum penalty prescribed for the offence shall be imposed. In addition, he or she shall be dismissed from the public service and shall suffer the penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding any public office.

Within 30 days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Interior and Local Government and Department of Justice, in consultation with the appropriate government agencies and other stakeholders, shall jointly promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.