Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte expects the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to follow through on its vow to launch a no-nonsense campaign against illegal online gambling this year.
Villafuerte recalled that in last December’s Commission on Appointments (CA) hearing on the confirmation of DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy, the solon secured a promise from the Cabinet official to effect the shutdown of illegal gambling websites, and then throw the books at their errant operators, betting agents, and even bettors.
“We look forward at the onset of 2023 to the DICT working together with Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) and NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) on finally putting out of business all illegal gaming websites," said Villafuerte, who is the majority leader of the CA.
“It’s not enough to just close down these illegal online gaming sites because their operators will most likely open new sites within five minutes of their shutdown,” noted the veteran solon and former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.
“Criminal cases must be filed immediately against these illicit operators to cripple their lucrative operations. The betting agents and bettors must be prosecuted, too," he underscored.
The National Unity Party (NUP) president noted that Executive Order (EO) 13, which was issued by then-president Rodrigo Duterte in 2017, declared as "illegal gambling" all activities and services directly or indirectly related to gambling but are beyond the territorial jurisdiction or supervision of the government authority that issues the licenses for this activity.
In last December’s CA panel hearing on Uy’s Cabinet appointment, Villafuerte told the then-secretary-designate that, “We just want to ask your commitment, sana kayo po ang mag-spearhead (hopefully you would spearhead) with PAGCOR and NBI not only to close down the sites because you can shut down the sites eh, in five minutes they can put these up again. But my point is cases have to be filed because you can actually log in and put money in an e-wallet and gamble.”
Uy then assured Villafuerte that his office will set up such a task force with the NBI and Pagcor to clamp down on these illegal online gaming operators.
“We will immediately set up a unit in order to address this in coordination with the other agencies like Pagcor,” said Uy.