ILIGAN CITY (August 19) — Frederick Siao, the mayor of Iligan City, has declared illegal gambling in all its forms, including internet betting, within government buildings.
Executive Order No. 95, signed by Siao on Monday, August 18, prohibits gambling on city government property by staff, consultants, public officials, and even non-employees. The order includes online platforms like Scatter as well as card games, betting, and number games.
The order stated, “The City Government of Iligan recognizes that gambling activities within government offices, disrupt operations, encourage unproductive behavior, and may foster corruption, conflicts of interest, and other unethical practices”.
All city departments, agencies, divisions, and facilities are subject to the ban. Depending on the status of the offender, violations will be handled accordingly.
In addition to potential criminal charges, public officials and employees who disobey the order will be subject to administrative disciplinary action under Civil Service Commission regulations, which can include reprimands, suspensions, or terminations.
In the meantime, non-employees will receive a warning before being told to vacate the property if they persist, with the option to file a lawsuit if necessary.
Strict enforcement of the prohibition is the responsibility of department heads and officers-in-charge. Anyone with sufficient documentation may submit a case to the implementing authority.
After reviewing reports, the City Human Resource Management Office will consult with the City Legal Office to determine whether to propose administrative or legal action.
The order also says, “All officials, employees, and personnel, regardless of status, are likewise encouraged to remain vigilant and to immediately report any observed gambling activities to their immediate supervisors for prompt action”.
Rep. Rolando Valeriano (Manila, 2nd District), who has introduced a bill calling for a nationwide prohibition on internet gambling and cockfighting, backed the action. “Clear proof of the growing clamor for a total ban against online gambling,” he said of Iligan City’s action.
Legislators, meanwhile, have introduced a number of laws that aim to either completely prohibit or severely restrict online gambling, including severing platforms’ ties to e-wallet apps. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has ordered financial institutions such as GCash and Maya to remove gambling links from their applications in response to the Senate’s opening of an investigation.
