Once the ban on online gambling takes effect, the only remaining refuge will be the dark web and overseas-based pornography sites. Addressing this will require international conventions and enforcement by global bodies such as international tribunals and Interpol.
So I now ask the public to join me in supporting House Bill 1455, or the Anti-Online Cockfighting and Gambling Act, which seeks to ban all forms of online gambling. Together, let us save Filipino families from the harms of online gambling.
Let us also make permanent the ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators with a new law.
Perhaps the Ad Standards Council and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation are unaware of the online gambling ads appearing in messaging apps, in-app advertisements, video streaming platforms, and role-playing avatar games on mobile phones and computers.
They should watch out for ads inside buses, public utility jeepneys, taxi fleets and other ads inside vehicles.
Only a total ban against online gambling will have the best impact. Why do some officials ignore the poor, the sick, and the hungry? Why do we pay taxes if these taxes do not truly help the people? Without taxes, a country cannot stand. But when taxes are not used properly, the people continue to suffer.
In Thailand, where I live, I rarely see bloggers doing these types of charity work. Why? Because the government already provides many services to its people. They don’t need to wait for help from online influencers. The government is active. They care. They serve.
In the Philippines, we often see bloggers helping, and that’s a good thing. But should we really depend on bloggers and private people to fix the problems in our country? Isn’t this the job of our leaders? Politicians are elected by the people. They are paid by the people. They must go to the streets, to the mountains, to the far barangays. They must listen to the cries of the people. Just like how these bloggers are doing it — with compassion and action.
Do we need more bloggers just to make our leaders move? Do we need more viral videos so that the government will finally notice the needs of its citizens?
I hope this becomes an eye-opener. If bloggers can help with their small earnings, how much more can a senator or mayor do with millions in their budget?