The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) prodded the local government units (LGUs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to further intensify their campaign against all forms of illegal gambling activities.
DILG-CAR Director Araceli San Jose issued the call after reports reached her office about the proliferation of Bingo sa Barangay (BSB) and Barangay Lucky Bingo (BLB) supposedly being operated by some LGUs all over the country.
“We enjoin all local chief executives (LCEs) and members of the local sanggunians to undertake measures to implement laws and their regulatory powers in view of eradicating the proliferation of BSB and BLB operated by the barangays or any of their officials in the guise of holding fund-raising activities, if there are any," San Jose said.
Presidential Decree (PD) 1607-A states that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is the central authority that will control and supervise all games of chance, while Republic Act 1169 authorizes the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to hold and conduct charity sweepstakes races, lotteries, and other similar activities.
"PD 1607-A, PD 1602, and RA 9287 prohibit all forms of unauthorized and unlicensed forms of gambling and games of chance. Bingo and other games are however allowed provided that these are played merely as parlor games or for home entertainment, are not held in places habitually used for gambling and do not have betting disguised to defeat the intent of the law," San Jose explained.
San Jose emphasized that gambling and games of chance not under the authority of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and not otherwise authorized under any special law should therefore be deemed illegal.
Taking into account the above mentioned laws, rules, and regulations, San Jose asserted that “all LGUs, including local government officials, shall discontinue or cause the discontinuance of all forms of unauthorized BSB and BLB or other illegal numbers games operated by the barangay, municipality, city, or province, or any government officials.’’
"All LGU officials should submit related reports regarding the action undertaken to eliminate unauthorized BSB and BLB in their respective territories and ensure compliance with related laws, rules, and regulations issued by regulatory agencies such as PCSO and PAGCOR," she noted.
San Jose added that “the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the local police forces are enjoined to further intensify their campaign against illegal gambling in their respective areas of jurisdiction and submit related reports to DILG- National Barangay Operations Office (NBOO).”