THE Lapu-Lapu City Government has officially banned all local officials and City Hall employees from engaging in online gambling during work hours.
Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” Chan signed Memorandum No. 2025-032 on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, formalizing the total ban on online gambling for all Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and local government unit (LGU) personnel.
Chan, in a press briefing on Thursday, Aug. 14, said the directive aligns with DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-082, which prohibits both elected and appointed LGU officials and employees from accessing or participating in any form of online gambling.
The DILG memorandum said online gambling includes all forms of internet-based gambling, except those conducted and regulated by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Chan explained her order applies only during office hours, stating the significant negative impact of online gambling on families and work efficiency.
She said the memorandum was issued to help “curb and mitigate” online gambling behavior among employees.
“Public service demands integrity, discipline, and undivided commitment – values that must never be compromised by distractions such as online gambling,” said Chan.
City Hall empoylees will face strict administrative penalties and possible criminal charges if caught engaging in online gambling.
While officials are still finalizing the list of offenses under the order, Chan plans to delegate the monitoring of all workers, including job order and contractual employees, to their respective department heads and supervisors.
She wants field workers to be included in the monitoring process as well.
Initially, repeated offenses beyond the first and second violations will result in dismissal. / DPC