Hontiveros is a co-author of the bill and has consistently pushed for tougher measures against the industry.
Lawmakers Push for Total iGaming Ban
Hontiveros’ criticism adds to mounting pressure from legislators advocating for a nationwide ban on all forms of online gambling. She joins Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Joel Villanueva in supporting Senate Bill No. 1281, which seeks to outlaw online gambling activities such as e-sabong, e-casino, and e-games, imposing penalties on both operators and users.
Hontiveros is a co-author of the bill and has consistently pushed for tougher measures against the industry.
Marcos Silent on Online Gambling in Key Speech
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made no mention of the issue in his recent State of the Nation Address, drawing criticism from various groups. The Palace later said the President is “closely monitoring” the rising issue of gambling addiction, as concerns grow over the influence of offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and the rapid spread of local e-casinos.
Industry leaders, however, caution that an outright ban may push the sector underground, making it harder to regulate and potentially worsening the problem. A recent survey found that most Filipino online gamblers would prefer stricter regulation over a total ban, citing fears over scams, addiction, and unregulated platforms.
Call for Senate Probe and Policy Reform
Hontiveros called on the Senate to investigate GSIS’s investment strategy and clarify legal grey areas under the Amended GSIS Act, especially around investing in firms with poor financial track records.
She also highlighted interpretational conflicts between GSIS and the Commission on Audit (COA), particularly regarding whether pension funds can be placed in high-risk assets like gambling ventures.
“If we need to amend the law to put stronger guardrails against speculative investments — especially in gambling — then we must do it,” she said.
In closing, Hontiveros reminded her fellow senators of the real stakeholders behind this issue: “Every teacher nearing retirement, every traffic enforcer working under the sun, every exhausted nurse in our public hospitals — they all rely on GSIS. We cannot let greed or mismanagement squander their future.”
