June and July have been quite busy months for Pagcor. Beyond the numerous “good deeds” that they regularly organize and produce as decreed by their Charter, there’s the added element of getting caught up in the media storm that’s brewing about the proliferation of online gambling, and its repercussions on the general public, and on our youth in particular.

“Incited” by Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Caloocan, and picked up by several lawmakers and concerned citizens groups, the fundamental position of Bishop David is that he is strongly opposed to online gambling, particularly electronic cockfighting – the very popular e-sabong. His argument is that it’s a significant threat to public welfare and mental health; and that due to its accessibility on any device, it’s far more dangerous than traditional gambling.

He has honed in on e-sabong, highly critical of its legalization and how prevalent it has become. He highlights how it can be accessed by anyone, including children; and that addiction to gambling is a mental health issue that needs to be understood. Its potential to negatively impact society, especially vulnerable individuals, should not be underestimated.

Rightly, on this issue, Pagcorremained neutral. It simply stated that it was the prerogative of the lawmakers to propose laws which would be beneficial to the public, and that Pagcor is duty bound to follow any and all relevant regulations once they are passed by Congress, and signed into law by the President. And the statement continued with, “In the meantime, rest assured that Pagcor remains fully committed to intensifying its efforts in the ongoing battle against the proliferation of illegal online gaming activities, together with like-minded agencies and organizations, and with the support of all gaming industry stakeholders.”

I made mention of the Pagcor Charter – and basically, it’s a three-pronged mandate: to regulate, to operate, and to authorize and license games of chance, games of cards and games of numbers, particularly casino gaming in the Philippines. Then, there are very specific uses for the Pagcor revenues generated, as it seeks to improve, promote and expand our tourism industry, and to be used as a mechanism to help raise funds for socio-civic and national development programs of the government.

Just recently, at the end of June, Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) worth ₱20 million were donated by Pagcor to nine Local Government Units (LGUs), and to one state University. They’re intended to improve health services in their respective areas, especially to extend health services to isolated and underserved parts of the municipalities. The nine LGUs are Palanan, Quezon, San Isidro, Cabagan, San Mariano, and San Pablo in Isabela; then Parañaque, Tanauan in Batangas, and Balabac in Palawan. Mariano Marcos State University in Ilocos Norte was the state university-recipient.

These PTVs are all equipped with a GPS navigation system, ambulance stretcher with restraining system, medical oxygen, wheelchair, and first aid kits adequate for first response medical attention. As Pagcor CEO Alejandro Tengco remarked, “We want to ensure that even remote areas have the means to respond to medical emergencies. This is part of Pagcor’s commitment to reach communities that need government support the most.”

For his part, Cabagan, Isabela mayor Christopher Mamauag was effusive in his thanks to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and to Pagcor. The Mayor commented on how in his municipality, travel to a tertiary hospital takes several hours; and how this PTV would be put to good use, and be a boon in their providing localized medical attention.

It’s worth noting how in their official statement, Pagcor referred to its drive to stamp out “illegal online gaming activities.” It skirted the issue of the morality of gambling per se; and I appreciate how that’s really not its role. It’s there to regulate and license the gambling and gaming that has been allowed by law; and being pragmatic, wants to ensure that the ones that do exist in the country, operate within its purview. For the ones that do, contribute to the revenues generated by Pagcor, and we are witness to how they’re put to good use.

If we want to question the proliferation of new online gambling sites - which we can see from billboards and Out Of Home (OOH) collateral; it’s not PAGCOR that has to answer to that. Within the framework of what has been deemed legal, Pagcor is just optimizing its operations, and taking its role in national development earnestly. I applaud how it moved swiftly in deference to public opinion by calling for the strict dismantling of online gambling billboards and OOH by Aug. 15.

Me, I have enough years under my belt to remember how making something illegal can only enhance its luster and attraction. Plus haven’t we had enough of ‘underground economies’? If we can create more stringent screening and validating mechanisms to keep kids off the online gambling sites, I’m all for that; as yes, we don’t want to engender a new generation of “Cain’s,” all online gambling addicts. But how to do that effectively, is the billion dollar question.