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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Masama na nangyayari': Erwin Tulfo seeks Senate probe on online gambling

'Masama na nangyayari': Erwin Tulfo seeks Senate probe on online gambling

Published Jul 30, 2025 04:35 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Erwin Tulfo is pushing for a Senate investigation into online gambling, urging its immediate ban due to its worsening social impact, including broken families, school dropouts, and mounting debts.
Senator Erwin Tulfo is set to conduct a Senate investigation into online gambling, emphasizing that its ill effects outweigh its positive impact.
Senator-elect Erwin Tulfo (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)
Senator-elect Erwin Tulfo (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)
"But if I can have it my way, kung akong tatanungin niyo personally, I want this online gambling stopped. Kung ako po masusunod, ora mismo dapat itigil na ang online gambling (But if I can have it my way, if you ask me personally, I want this online gambling stopped. If it were up to me, online gambling should be stopped immediately)," Tulfo said in a media briefing on Wednesday, July 30, after being assigned as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement.
"Because of the fact masama na po ang nangyayari. May mga bata na hindi na nag-aaral. May mga pamilya na naghihiwalay. May mga baon na sa utang, hindi na umaabot sa bahay ang sweldo (Because of the fact that bad things are already happening. There are children who have stopped going to school, families that are falling apart, and people buried in debt—their salaries no longer even make it home)," he added.
While Tulfo also acknowledged the government's concern over lost revenue if online gambling were halted, he stressed the need to weigh financial considerations against social costs.
“We understand the Executive’s concern about losing income, but we also have to weigh the cons—the social effects,” he added.
Tulfo said he would conduct a hearing next week to gather input from stakeholders, including the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Department of Finance (DOF).
"I will ask everyone their opinion. I want to hear from the members of the committee. I already have Senator Bong Go and Senator Bato dela Rosa as vice chairs, and Senator Raffy Tulfo as a member," he noted.
“If it really has to be regulated, then it must be studied thoroughly and have strict parameters. But right now, we don’t have any,” he said.
Tulfo hopes to build consensus within the committee for a firm stance against online gambling.
The senator emphasized the urgency of legislative action, stating that “this is getting serious by the day. We need to stop this.”
His brother, Senator Raffy Tulfo, has filed a bill seeking a total ban on online gambling including Senator Joel Villanueva and Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri and Senator Loren Legarda have filed separate bills also aiming to outlaw online gambling.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a bill seeking to regulate online gambling by banning gambling sponsorships of public events and campaign donations, while Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a bill seeking to outlaw online gambling access in e-wallets and super apps.

Related Tags

Erwin Tulfo Pagcor Department of Finance (DOF) online gambling
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