CARDINAL Pablo Virgilio David yesterday said the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is not keen on joining the “conclave” being organized by Malacañang aimed at developing a comprehensive policy on online gambling.
“If the consultation is aimed at ‘regulating,’ instead of expressly prohibiting online gambling, count us out,” David, the president of the CBCP, said in a phone interview.
He said the Catholic Church stands by its position that a total ban should be imposed on all online gambling operations.
“Our call is to declare any form of online gambling illegal. If they prohibit gambling (e.g. cara y cruz) in our streets, why would they allow gambling online?” he also said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said he believes that a total ban on online gambling will not address the problem.
Instead, the President said the government would convene a conclave and invite interested stakeholders to discuss and develop a comprehensive policy to regulate digital gambling.
He said the government would consult Church leaders, educators, parents, police, and addiction experts, among other stakeholders, for its policy formulation.
But David said the government does not need a policy to regulate e-gambling since such activities are supposed to be banned.
He cited Section 10 of Republic Act No. 9487, which provides that “the operation of slot machines and other gambling paraphernalia and equipment shall not be allowed in establishments open or accessible to the general public”.
“Online gambling platforms (e-games, e-bingo, sports betting) make gambling accessible to anyone with a smartphone, anywhere, anytime. This is even worse than having slot machines in malls or markets because, now, access is 24/7 and private – bedroom, living room, jeepney, classroom, anywhere,” he said.
“The legislative intent of Section 10 is clear: to protect the public from easy access to gambling devices. With online gambling, that safeguard is gone. Anyone can gamble anywhere,” he added.
