President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos said on Friday during the “Kapihan with the Media” at Bengaluru India, that the government should consult various groups and sectors before formulating an online gambling policy, calling it a “conclave”.
“Internally, we are calling it a ‘conclave’ to put all of the interested parties. CBCP (Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ members have) been very vocal on their position, so they must be heard, then we have to hear about from expert on addiction, we have to hear from parents and from teachers as to what the effects are on their children, we have to hear from the police what are the effects in terms of criminality,” he explained.
Marcos used banning e-sabong as an example, questioning why prohibiting e-sabong hasn't become successful. He emphasized to ponder policy options as banning is not that simple, and studying the problem is the best way to formulate what would be the better plan.
“Kung hindi ban, ano ang gagawin natin? That’s what I’m hoping all of these different sectors of society will lead us to a good answer,” he said.
“Syempre pakikinggan din natin ang PAGCOR, magkano ang kinikita nila? Pakikinggan natin lahat. But all of that, we have to hear from everyone, because it’s not that simple,” he added.
He also expressed to hear from different groups who will be examining the said issue, stating that an outright ban will not take care of the problem. He mentioned to become a little bit measured in their response with regards to online gambling.
“What is the problem? Is a problem online gambling? Or is a problem na adik ang tao, o nadadamay at natuturuan ang mga bata na magsugal? That’s the problem. So let’s solve that problem," Marcos said.
It was previously reported that Senator Risa Hontiveros raised her concern over the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) alleged investment in an online gambling platform.
