'Deep moral problem': CBCP joins calls to regulate online gambling
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'Deep moral problem': CBCP joins calls to regulate online gambling
Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David leads a requiem Mass for the late Pope Francis at the San Roque Cathedral on April 22, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David leads a requiem Mass for the late Pope Francis at the San Roque Cathedral on April 22, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has joined calls from the public and lawmakers to tighten regulations surrounding online gambling, calling it a new plague that destroys individuals and families.
MANILA — The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has joined calls from the public and lawmakers to tighten regulations surrounding online gambling, calling it a new plague that destroys individuals and families.
In a statement posted by CBCP News on Facebook, Caloocan Bishop and CBCP President Pablo Virgilio David reflected on the adverse impacts of online gambling, saying they were breaking their silence because of the stories they had heard about how betting addiction destroyed lives.
In a statement posted by CBCP News on Facebook, Caloocan Bishop and CBCP President Pablo Virgilio David reflected on the adverse impacts of online gambling, saying they were breaking their silence because of the stories they had heard about how betting addiction destroyed lives.
The Catholic bishops expressed "deep concern" about how many Filipinos, including the youth, were being kept in bondage by internet gaming, which they called the "new face of gambling" after the government outlawed Philippine offshore gaming operators and e-sabong.
The Catholic bishops expressed "deep concern" about how many Filipinos, including the youth, were being kept in bondage by internet gaming, which they called the "new face of gambling" after the government outlawed Philippine offshore gaming operators and e-sabong.
They said taking advantage of another person's weakness for profit is a sin.
They said taking advantage of another person's weakness for profit is a sin.
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GAMBLING ADDICTION 'FORM OF SLAVERY'
The CBCP urged the government to put controls on online payment systems to make it harder for people, especially young people, to access online gambling sites.
The CBCP urged the government to put controls on online payment systems to make it harder for people, especially young people, to access online gambling sites.
They also called on other sectors of society to recognize that gambling addiction is a public health issue that should be addressed through proper education, legislation, and treatment.
They also called on other sectors of society to recognize that gambling addiction is a public health issue that should be addressed through proper education, legislation, and treatment.
"Malinaw na ang online gambling ay hindi na simpleng libangan lamang. Isa na itong malalim at malawak na suliraning moral, na nakakubli sa anyo ng libangan at teknolohiya," CBCP said.
"Malinaw na ang online gambling ay hindi na simpleng libangan lamang. Isa na itong malalim at malawak na suliraning moral, na nakakubli sa anyo ng libangan at teknolohiya," CBCP said.
(It’s clear that online gambling is no longer just a simple form of entertainment. It has become a deep and widespread moral problem, hidden behind the guise of leisure and technology.)
(It’s clear that online gambling is no longer just a simple form of entertainment. It has become a deep and widespread moral problem, hidden behind the guise of leisure and technology.)
"At kahit ito'y inaangkin na 'karapatang pantao,' hindi pa rin nangangahulugang tama ito, lalo na kung ito naman ay nagbubunga ng kapahamakan sa mismong tao. Ang pagkasugapa sa online gambling ay isang anyo ng pagkaalipin," they said.
"At kahit ito'y inaangkin na 'karapatang pantao,' hindi pa rin nangangahulugang tama ito, lalo na kung ito naman ay nagbubunga ng kapahamakan sa mismong tao. Ang pagkasugapa sa online gambling ay isang anyo ng pagkaalipin," they said.
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(And even if they claim it to be a 'human right,' that does not make it right, especially when it brings harm to the person themselves. Addiction to online gambling is a form of slavery.)
(And even if they claim it to be a 'human right,' that does not make it right, especially when it brings harm to the person themselves. Addiction to online gambling is a form of slavery.)
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, meanwhile, is pushing for a total ban on all forms of online gambling.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, meanwhile, is pushing for a total ban on all forms of online gambling.
On Monday, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would not oppose any measure that would curb gambling addiction among Filipinos.
On Monday, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would not oppose any measure that would curb gambling addiction among Filipinos.
The CBCP clarified that it was not outright against forms of entertainment but said that when these begin to destroy lives and families, it becomes necessary to make an appeal and issue a warning.
The CBCP clarified that it was not outright against forms of entertainment but said that when these begin to destroy lives and families, it becomes necessary to make an appeal and issue a warning.
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CBCP TO PEOPLE WITH GAMBLING ADDICTION: YOU'RE NOT ALONE
The group said it was praying for people enslaved by gambling addiction, telling them that they are not alone.
The group said it was praying for people enslaved by gambling addiction, telling them that they are not alone.
"Ang inyong pinagdadaanan ay hindi kahinaan lang ng loob, kundi madalas ay nag-uugat sa malalim na sugat sa iyong buhay na maaaring lumikha ng lamat sa ating mga pag-iisip o damdamin," CBCP said.
"Ang inyong pinagdadaanan ay hindi kahinaan lang ng loob, kundi madalas ay nag-uugat sa malalim na sugat sa iyong buhay na maaaring lumikha ng lamat sa ating mga pag-iisip o damdamin," CBCP said.
"Hindi na nila alam kung paano sila nalubog sa ganitong kalagayan — kaya't sila ay namumuhay sa hiya, takot, at kawalan ng pag-asa."
"Hindi na nila alam kung paano sila nalubog sa ganitong kalagayan — kaya't sila ay namumuhay sa hiya, takot, at kawalan ng pag-asa."
(What you are going through is not merely a weakness of will but often stems from deep wounds in your life that may have caused cracks in your thoughts or emotions. They no longer know how they ended up in such a state, which is why they live in shame, fear, and hopelessness.)
(What you are going through is not merely a weakness of will but often stems from deep wounds in your life that may have caused cracks in your thoughts or emotions. They no longer know how they ended up in such a state, which is why they live in shame, fear, and hopelessness.)
Gambling "alters the mind, disrupts sound judgment, and steals the peace within us," CBCP said.
Gambling "alters the mind, disrupts sound judgment, and steals the peace within us," CBCP said.
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They added that gambling addiction victims need compassion, support, and guidance, not shame or judgment.
They added that gambling addiction victims need compassion, support, and guidance, not shame or judgment.
"Hindi ito simpleng problema ng indibidwal. Isa na itong pampublikong krisis ng kalusugan sa lipunan, katulad na rin ng droga at iba pang bisyo," they said.
"Hindi ito simpleng problema ng indibidwal. Isa na itong pampublikong krisis ng kalusugan sa lipunan, katulad na rin ng droga at iba pang bisyo," they said.
(This is not merely an individual problem. It has become a public health crisis in society, much like drugs and other vices.)
(This is not merely an individual problem. It has become a public health crisis in society, much like drugs and other vices.)
"Uunlad ba tayo kung nalulusaw ang mga moral values natin? Magiging matatag ba tayo, maiaahon ba natin sa kahirapan ang bansa o ang pamilya natin, kung nagiging manhid tayo sa mali at masama? Hindi ba natin nakikita ang panganib sa kalusugan, mga krimen, karahasan, at banta sa kaligtasan na dulot ng talamak na sugal? Sugal ba ang sagot sa kahirapan?"
"Uunlad ba tayo kung nalulusaw ang mga moral values natin? Magiging matatag ba tayo, maiaahon ba natin sa kahirapan ang bansa o ang pamilya natin, kung nagiging manhid tayo sa mali at masama? Hindi ba natin nakikita ang panganib sa kalusugan, mga krimen, karahasan, at banta sa kaligtasan na dulot ng talamak na sugal? Sugal ba ang sagot sa kahirapan?"
(Can we truly progress if our moral values are eroding? Can we build a strong nation or lift our families out of poverty if we become numb to what is wrong and harmful? Do we not see the dangers to health, the crimes, violence, and threats to safety brought about by rampant gambling? Is gambling really the answer to poverty?)
(Can we truly progress if our moral values are eroding? Can we build a strong nation or lift our families out of poverty if we become numb to what is wrong and harmful? Do we not see the dangers to health, the crimes, violence, and threats to safety brought about by rampant gambling? Is gambling really the answer to poverty?)
— With reports from Victoria Tulad and Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News
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