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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PBBM to ban online gambling in SONA? 'I would love to hear that,' Zubiri says

PBBM to ban online gambling in SONA? 'I would love to hear that,' Zubiri says

Published Jul 7, 2025 01:38 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Migz Zubiri urged President Marcos to show "great leadership" by supporting a total ban on online gambling, citing its destructive impact on Filipino families, rising crime, debt-related suicides, and proposing a bill mandating ISPs, payment platforms, and media to block and stop all gambling activities.
For Senator Juan Miguel Migz Zubiri, President Marcos would demonstrate great leadership if he puts an end to online gambling.
Senator Juan Miguel
Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri
“Makikita talaga na (We'll really see) without fear or favor, for the good of the country...let's stop online gaming. I would love to hear that from the President even in his State of the Nation Address (SONA),” Zubiri said on Monday, July 7, during the Kapihan sa Senado public forum.
He added that the President could also come up with a statement on allowing Congress to study the ban on online gambling and its ill effects.
Calling it a silent epidemic, Zubiri recently filed a bill seeking an outright ban on online gambling in the Philippines. Zubiri said that online gambling is quietly harming Filipinos, especially minors and the most vulnerable.
In the bill aptly called the “Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025 that Zubiri intends to file, he drew a parallel between the threat once posed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and the growing danger of local online gambling platforms.
“Hindi lang oras ang nauubos dito kundi life savings ng ating mga kababayan. Kaya dapat po natin ipagbawal ito kahit ang authorized online games ng Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation),” Zubiri said.
“Nasisira na po ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan. Nag-aaway-aaway na po ang ating mga pamilya. Tumataas ang kaso ng krimen, nababaon na sa gabundok na utang ang manggagawang Pilipino which then severely affects their mental health. Marami na rin po kaso ng suicides related to gambling debt (The lives of our countrymen are being ruined. Families are fighting with one another. Crime rates are rising, and Filipino workers are sinking into mountains of debt, which severely affects their mental health. There have also been many cases of suicides related to gambling debt),” he added.
The proposed measure prohibits all forms of online gambling in the country, not just simple regulation. This includes digital betting platforms, mobile applications and websites that allow users to place wagers through phones, tablets and computers.
The bill covers both locally and offshore-operated gambling sites that cater to Filipino users.
Under the bill, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), mobile network operators and digital platforms are mandated to block access to gambling websites and remove related apps within 72 hours upon notice from the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).
Failure to act promptly may result in fines, license suspension or even revocation of their authority to operate.
Digital wallets and payment service providers such as credit cards, GCash, Paymaya and others are also barred from facilitating transactions related to online gambling. Any entity that aids in placing bets, promoting gambling content or advertising betting sites – whether through traditional media, social media or influencer marketing – will be held liable.
Meanwhile, Zubiri also disclosed that the government earned P47 billion from the online gambling industry just in the first quarter of 2025 alone.  But he remains unfazed by the revenue loss should the online gambling ban prosper, and is more alarmed by the amount, which means more Filipinos are hooked.

Related Tags

online gambling Migz Zubiri President Marcos PBBM
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