Various bills addressing the proposed laws regarding the strict regulation or total ban on online gambling in the country will be discussed this coming week in the Senate.

Based on the schedule released by the Public Relations and Information Bureau of the Senate of the Philippines, Committee Hearings are set for the Senate Bill Nos. 30, 47, and 142 or the Anti-Online Gambling Act filed by Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano, Joel Villanueva, and Juan Miguel Zubiri this 14 August.

Other bills that will be tackled during the committee hearing were Senate Bill No. 57 or the Online Regulatory Act filed by Senator Win Gatchalian; PS Resolution No. 12 or the Proliferation of Online Gambling and Lending in the Philippines by Senator Senator JV Ejercito; PS Resolution No. 19 or the Engagement of Learners in Online Gambling by Senator Gatchalian; PS Res. No 26 or the Online Gambling Operations by Senator Camille Villar, to be followed by a Privilege Speech on Online Gambling by Senator Zubiri.

Earlier, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stressed that his administration would convene all interested stakeholders for a “conclave” to develop a comprehensive policy on online gambling, especially on the socio-economic impact.

He said part of the consultation is the Church, educators, parents, the police, and addiction experts, among other stakeholders, for the policy formulation.

“Internally, we are calling it a ‘conclave’ to bring all of the interested parties. CBCP (Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines) members have been very vocal on their position, so they must be heard,” President Marcos said.

The President underscored the need to carefully examine policy options, saying an outright ban on online gambling is not always the immediate solution.

President Marcos pointed out that when “e-sabong” was banned, online cockfight gambling operations merely went underground.

 “I don’t want to influence anyone’s opinion here until we hear from the group who will be examining the question. But in my opinion, a ban will not take care of the problem. We have to be a little bit more measured in our response,” the President stressed. (RAFFY AYENG)