QUEZON CITY — In light of escalating concerns over the societal impacts of online gambling, CIBAC Party-List Representative Bro. Eddie Villanueva has intensified his call for a comprehensive ban on all forms of online gambling in the Philippines.

This renewed appeal comes amidst discussions on whether to impose additional taxes on the industry, following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s statement considering a total ban but remaining open to alternative proposals.

“We thank the President for acknowledging the nationwide clamor. This is a defining moment to put people over profit. We reiterate our call for a total ban on online gambling,” Villanueva stated.

Highlighting the pervasive nature of online gambling, Villanueva emphasized its accessibility and the risks it poses, particularly to vulnerable populations.

“Online gambling has become a silent epidemic in our nation. It’s no longer hidden in corners—it’s on our phones, public transport, and social media feeds. Every click is a potential ruin, especially for the poor and the youth,” he warned.

While the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) reported that the online gambling sector contributed over ₱51.8 billion in revenues in the first quarter of 2025 alone, Villanueva argued that financial gains do not mitigate the industry’s detrimental effects.

“Industry experts already said that online gambling is already heavily taxed—but taxation does not cancel out destruction,” he stressed. “Calls for better regulation or even higher taxes miss the point. The product itself is inherently harmful, and the social costs far outweigh the revenues it generates. Let us not forget what happened in POGOs, E-Sabong, and the missing sabungeros.”

Citing documented cases of addiction, broken families, job losses, bankrupt entrepreneurs, and mental health crises, Villanueva underscored the human toll of online gambling.

“We cannot allow the State to justify its role as a beneficiary of human misery. That is blood money,” he declared. “No amount of revenue can justify the widespread damage being done to our society.”

As an alternative, CIBAC advocates for strengthening the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to enhance tax collection from legitimate, value-creating sectors. BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. estimates that up to ₱500 billion in annual revenue could be recovered through proper enforcement and modernization—nearly ten times what online gambling generates per quarter, and without moral compromise.

CIBAC continues to push for the passage of House Bill No. 637, which seeks to implement a total ban on online gambling, both domestic and offshore.

“The time for half-measures is over. We do not need blood money to fund our nation. We need a revenue strategy built on justice, productivity, and righteousness—not on addiction and ruin,” Villanueva concluded.

This stance aligns with a growing movement among lawmakers and religious leaders advocating for stricter measures against online gambling, citing its adverse effects on Filipino families and communities.

CIBAC