Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

Tulfo wants total ban on online gambling, hopes Marcos Jr. will address it in SONA

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Senator Raffy Tulfo has added his voice to the clamor for a total ban on online gambling, saying he will file a bill next week to push for this.</p><p>The proposed ban will cover even those sites licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).</p><p>“Merong nagaganap na epidemic ngayon sa ating bansa at lumalala nang lumalala ang epidemic na ito. It’s about time na lahat tayo magtulong-tulungan para magamot itong malalang epidemic na for me,” Tulfo said in a press conference on Tuesday.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/7/zubiri-pushes-for-total-online-gambling-ban-1506">Zubiri pushes for total online gambling ban, appeals to Marcos Jr. to address issue</a></div><p>He was particularly bothered by reports of a bus and jeepney driver who were caught gambling online while driving.</p><p>“Napakarami nang taong lulong dito sa online gambling kasi napakadaling ma-access,” Tulfo said. “Kahit na paslit nakakapag-sugal. Very accessible itong online gambling. Why not put a stop into it?”</p><p>“Something has to be done that’s why I’m filing a bill na total stop, hindi yung regulated, hindi yung strictly regulated. For me, no. It has to stop, grabe na. Kailan tayo titigil kung bagsak na ang ating bansa, ang ating lipunan? We have to step on the breaks right now,” he added.</p><p>Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Joel Villanueva have already filed a bill to ban online gambling.</p><p>Senators Ronald Dela Rosa and Bong Go have also expressed support for a ban.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="http://​https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/11/manila-lawmaker-wants-total-ban-on-online-gambling-2214">Manila lawmaker wants total ban on online gambling</a><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/11/manila-lawmaker-wants-total-ban-on-online-gambling-2214"></a></div><p>Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, wants stricter regulation instead of a ban because providers might allegedly shift to underground operations.</p><p>Tulfo said, however, that this can be prevented.</p><p>“Yung sinasabing baka mag-underground, eh nandiyan naman ang ating kapulisan, nandiyan yung ating NBI, nandiyan yung ating PNP. Anong ginagawa ng kanilang mga intelligence funds para tugisin kung sino itong mga nag-u-underground? As simple as that. Let them do their job. Otherwise, tanggalin mo yung mga pulis na hindi nagtatrabaho,” Tulfo said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>ONLINE GAMBLING COULD BE TACKLED IN SONA</strong></div><p>Tulfo hopes the problems arising from online gambling will reach President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., and that the President will include his stance on this in his next State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/10/ncrpo-ready-for-sona-2025-assures-maximum-tolerance-1602">NCRPO &#x27;ready&#x27; for SONA 2025, assures maximum tolerance</a></div><p>“Sabi ko nga beke nemen, Mr. President, puwede mong isama sa SONA mo yung tungkol dito sa problema natin sa online gambling. I don’t know, but again hindi ko dinidiktahan, hindi ko sinasabihan ang ating Pangulo because desisyon niya yun, ayaw kong pakialaman,” Tulfo mentioned.</p><p>“It’s up to the President kung anong diskarteng gagawin niya and I will respect kung anomang desisyon niya pero para sa akin my stand is sana total ban, ipahinto na ito,” he added.</p><div><strong>  </strong></div><div><strong>ONLINE GAMBLING ADS</strong></div><p>Tulfo admits pushing for a total ban on online gambling is not easy. In the meantime, he called on PAGCOR to stop all forms of advertisements on online gambling.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/14/licensed-online-gambling-operators-we-are-compliant-responsible-1703">Licensed online gambling operators: We are compliant, responsible</a></div><p>Last week, PAGCOR gave its licensees and stakeholders until August 15 to take down their online gambling related ads on billboards, buses, and trains, among others.</p><p>Tulfo questioned this, however, and pushed for a more immediate response.</p><p>“Bakit August 15? So between now and August 15 so marami pang malululong sa sugal,” Tulfo said. “Let’s do it now, ganun dapat. Ora mismo kasi lumalala’t lumalala talaga ang problema.”  </p><p>PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro Tengco has said they will soon restrict the showing of gambling ads on TV during prime time, which Tulfo also contradicted.</p><p>“Bakit lang prime time? Eh paano yung sa hindi prime time na yung mga bata nanonood din? So dapat tigil yan sa TV, radio, newspaper, social media, lahat. Eh kung nagawa natin yan sa sigarilyo, remember dati sigarilyo left and right may advertisement yan. Lahat ng platforms sa media, napatigil. So bakit hindi natin mapatigil itong sa online gambling,” Tulfo said.</p><p>“Kung gugustuhin ng PAGCOR kaya nilang gawin. May kasabihan nga kung gugustuhin maraming paraan, o may paraan, kung ayaw, maraming dahilan,” he added.</p><p>Like other Senators, Tulfo is of the position that the social cost of online gambling is far greater than the revenues generated from it.</p><p>Tengco has said they generated P50 billion from online gambling in 2024.</p><p>Tulfo suggested looking for other sources of income.</p><p>“Mag-allot ng budget para sa social services,” Tulfo suggested.&quot; “Itigil natin yung mga GL (guarantee letter) na yan. Ilan ba yung bilyon bilyon na yan galing sa GL? Ako mismo isu-surrender ko yung GL ko.”</p><p>&quot;In fact, malaking bagay nga pag natigil yang GL na yan dahil kumbaga eh nagagamit, pasintabi sa iba, eh nagagamit ng mga politiko para magkaroon sila ng pogi points sa kanilang mga botante. So iyon isang source yung GL,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2025/7/11/cicc-tells-content-creators-to-stop-promoting-illegal-online-gambling-1223">Influencers, content creators told to stop pushing illegal online gambling</a></div><p>Asked about celebrities who endorse online gambling, Tulfo said he cannot dictate on them, although he noted that they should think about the effects of their endorsement on their followers.</p><p>Tulfo also said that should there be an investigation on online gambling, this should include politicians or influential personalities who are allegedly involved in the games. He said charges can be filed against officials in the Ombudsman or Sandiganbayan.</p>

<p>Senator Raffy Tulfo has added his voice to the clamor for a total ban on online gambling, saying he will file a bill next week to push for this.</p>

Senator Raffy Tulfo has added his voice to the clamor for a total ban on online gambling, saying he will file a bill next week to push for this.