VP Sara strongly opposes online gambling

Vice President Sara Duterte expressed "strong opposition" to online gambling, saying it might destroy not just families but also the future of the youth.

"I am against online gambling. So hindi ako sang-ayon sa lahat ng klase na pagsusugal online dahil hindi nakokontrol ng mga magulang ang akses ng kanilang mga anak diyan sa internet," Duterte said during an ambush interview at the "Free Duterte Now" rally in The Hague, Netherlands on Saturday.

"At napakadali, ginawang pinakamadali ang magsugal sa online para madaling makuha ang pera ng mga tao at 'pag ikaw ay nalulong na dyan sa online gambling ay nagkakaproblema na ang pamilya dahil nalulubog na sa utang 'yung mga kababayan natin," she added.

Duterte, however, stressed that she's in favor of 'regulated gambling' where not everyone can get in there and not everyone can gamble.

"Pero kapag nilagay mo siya online na hindi na natin nakokontrol kung sino 'yung makapagbukas ng account para magsugal ay hindi ako sang-ayon doon dahil nakakasira ng pamilya yun at nakakasira ng kinabukasan ng kabataan," she said.

Some lawmakers from both the Senate and House of Representatives have supported a proposed total ban on gambling, but others proposed regulation or limiting access instead of banning it totally. NEIL ALCOBER