Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has urged education agencies to take a firm stand against the continued rise of online gambling in the Philippines, warning that the government should not trade children’s futures for gambling revenue.
“Shouldn’t CHED, TESDA, and DepEd weigh in?” Cayetano asked during a Senate session, following a privilege speech by Senator Bam Aquino on the country’s worsening learning crisis.
Cayetano criticized the silence of education institutions, noting the government earns around P50 billion from gambling, while the education sector needs over P1 trillion to be properly funded.
“Papayag ka sa P50 billion na kikitain [sa online gambling] pero ang mga bata tuturuan mo na mag-hard work, mag-aral, at ‘wag magsugal?” he said.
The senator recalled blocking the franchise of e-sabong during his term as House Speaker in 2020, a move he believes led to his removal from the post. In the 20th Congress, Cayetano co-authored the Ban on Online Gambling Act and authored a bill banning online gambling ads, citing its dangers to youth, families, and society.
Even with POGOs phased out, he warned that online gaming remains a threat.
According to him, Malacañang is still weighing the impact of online gaming, but those shaping education and values should already take a stand.IMT
