PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday that the government is not rushing to implement a total ban on online gambling, stressing the need for a thorough review of its social impacts and potential alternatives.
Speaking to the Philippine media during his state visit to India, Marcos said the issue is complex and requires input from various sectors, including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), educators, parents, law enforcement, and addiction experts.
“A ban alone won’t solve the problem,” he said. “We have to ask: is the problem online gambling itself, or is it addiction? Let’s address the real issue.”
Marcos revealed that the government is preparing a policy forum—internally referred to as a “conclave”—to consult with stakeholders, including the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and weigh the economic benefits of online gambling against its social costs.
He also referenced the ban on e-sabong (online cockfighting), questioning its effectiveness in addressing gambling-related issues.
“If a ban is the best solution, we’ll implement it. But if better options exist, we’ll pursue those,” he said, emphasizing that any policy decision must come from careful and informed deliberation—not reactionary moves.
