The Department of the Interior and Local Government has enacted a comprehensive ban on online gambling for officials and employees under its jurisdiction. The directive was signed by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla. It strictly prohibits engagement in online gambling and warns that violators might face criminal and administrative penalties.

The measure also applies to local government units and several agencies under the department’s supervision. These include the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, National Youth Commission, Philippine Commission on Women, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Philippine Public Safety College, and the National Police Commission.

Rationale and Legal Basis

According to Secretary Remulla, physical casinos and online gambling pose a threat to the integrity of public service. He stated that government officials must remain accountable to the people, as enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. The department believes gambling activities during work hours or personal time erode public trust and compromise ethical standards.

Remulla’s statement emphasised the ban’s alignment with the government’s campaign to promote moral responsibility among civil servants. The policy will ensure public resources and time are used strictly for official purposes.

Legislative Support for a Wider Ban

The directive received strong backing from CIBAC Representative Eddie Villanueva, who praised the DILG for reinforcing high ethical standards in public service. Villanueva reiterated his call for a nationwide prohibition on online gambling due to its social effects, including addiction and financial problems.

He pointed out that the economic gains from regulating and taxing online gambling are outweighed by its long-term social impact. To advance this agenda, Villanueva has filed House Bill 637, which seeks to criminalise online gambling. The proposed measure aims to protect citizens from the risks and consequences associated with gambling dependency.

Reinforcing Public Trust

The DILG’s order represents one of the most comprehensive internal conduct policies issued in recent years for the public sector. By extending the ban to agencies under its purview, the department is sending a clear message that gambling whether online or otherwise, has no place in the lives of public servants.

Officials hope that the policy will deter misconduct and set a precedent for other government institutions to adopt similar prohibitions. The ultimate goal is to safeguard the ethical foundations of governance and maintain the confidence of the Filipino people in their leaders and institutions.