CIVIL Service Commission (CSC) chairperson Marilyn Yap yesterday warned all government officials and employees they face administrative sanctions and possible criminal charges if they are caught engaging in gambling in any form during work hours.
The CSC chair also disclosed that there are plans to draft tougher measures to discourage gambling by public officials and employees.
In an advisory released yesterday, the CSC emphasized that the prohibition covers online gambling, mobile games with betting elements, and participating in land-based gambling establishments.
The Commission issued the statement after former Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara admitted before a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing that he had played and lost heavily at a casino together with Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez.
Alcantara was grilled by senators over alleged substandard construction and non-existent flood control projects worth hundreds of millions undertaken by unscrupulous officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bulacan.
The Senate inquiry is an offshoot of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to crackdown on anomalous flood control projects costing taxpayers billions without showing any positive impact on destructive floods.
The CSC said the same rules apply whether the gambling establishment is inside or outside government premises, and regardless if the platform used is legal or licensed.
“Any act of gambling in the workplace, whether physical or virtual, may be deemed conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and could result in administrative sanctions under existing civil service rules and regulations,” it said.
“Let us all do our part in promoting ethical conduct and professionalism in the civil service. The CSC is studying further regulatory measures and supports legislative initiatives toward establishing a comprehensive ban on gambling activities among government personnel during work hours,” Yap said.
Government agencies were encouraged to adopt internal guidelines and monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance and prevent practices that may erode public trust.
While there is no specific law banning government personnel from casinos and similar gambling operations, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713) reminds them to act with integrity, professionalism, and to live modestly.
It likewise cautions government workers to avoid conduct that compromises the public’s trust or reflects impropriety.
Memorandum Circular No. 06 issued on September 20, 2016 only ordered public officials and employees to “observe the highest ethical standards” and to “comply with all pertinent laws, issuances, and policies prohibiting government personnel to enter, stay, or play in gambling casinos.”
However, it went one step farther to declare that “the mere entry or presence of government officials and employees in a gambling casino shall be considered as conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service – unless it is related to their official duties or functions.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor), which regulates government-licensed casinos, was tasked to “ensure strict observance” by all government officials and employees.
