Gov’t shifts war to illegal gambling
From the aggressive war on illegal drugs, the government is mobilizing its resources to step up the crackdown on illegal gambling across the country.
President Duterte has issued Executive Order No. 13 ordering the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and other law enforcement agencies to “intensify the fight against illegal gambling.”
EO No. 13, signed last February 2, also imposed certain restrictions on online gaming operations in the economic zones of Cagayan, Aurora and Bataan. These include prohibiting the operation of online gaming operators outside economic zones where they obtained the licenses as well as sharing or transfer of
The government has 14 days to ask the 9th Circuit to have a larger panel of judges review the decision “en banc,” or appeal directly to the US Supreme Court, which will likely determine the case’s final outcome.
But it would need five of the eight justices to vote in favor of suspending the travel ban during litigation. That is likely to be a tall order as the court is such licenses to another party.
“The State condemns the existence of illegal gambling activities as a widespread social menace and source of corruption, as it has become an influential factor in an individual’s disregard for the value of dignified work, perseverance and thrift,” the order read.
In the order, the PNP and NBI have been directed to coordinate with the Departments of Justice (DOJ), of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in the campaign against illegal gaming activities.
“The same law enforcement agencies are further directed to coordinate and promptly act on requests of gambling regulatory authorities to investigate and put a stop to illegal gambling activities in their respective jurisdictions,” the order read.
The new assignment of the PNP and NBI came after the President barred them from conducting anti-illegal drug operations due to alleged abuse of rogue personnel.
The President also directed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Apeco), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and other concerned agencies to cooperate in the campaign against illegal gambling.
The regulatory bodies have also been required to submit to the Office of the President a report on the progress of their fight against illegal gambling within evenly divided 4-4 between liberals and conservatives, meaning the administration would need to win over at least one of the liberal justices.
Senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway told Fox News: “It’s an interim ruling and we’re fully confident that now that we will get our day in court and have an opportunity to argue this on the merits we will prevail.” six months.
In the EO, the President also sought to clarify the jurisdiction and authority of Pagcor and other agencies in the regulation and licensing of gambling and online gaming facilities.
“No duly licensed online gambling operator, or provider of activities and services related to or in support of online gambling activities, shall directly or indirectly allow persons who are physically located outside the territorial jurisdiction of the licensing authority to place bets, or in any way participate, in the games conducted by such operator, whether through an online portal or similar means,” the order read.
“Nothing herein, however, shall prohibit the duly licensed online gambling operator from allowing the participation of persons physically located outside the Philippine territory,” it added.
The order also stated that online gambling license shall “not be assigned, shared, leased, transferred, sold or encumbered to any other party.” Any operator to operate outside the government’s jurisdiction must apply for a separate license with the appropriate authority.
The President noted that confusion on the jurisdiction and scope of authority of gambling operators has contributed to the proliferation of illegal gambling in the country.
“Clarifying the extent of authority of gambling regulators, particularly with regard to online gambling, will not only facilitate the detection and suppression of unauthorized gambling activities, but it will also help ensure that gambling regulators act within the bounds of their respective mandates as well as strengthen the efforts of the National Government to monitor and collect revenues from legitimate gambling activities,” the order read.
The anti-illegal gambling crackdown came after the controversial illegal online operations of Macau gambling tycoon Jack Lam in Clark economic zone. Lam was supposedly given a gambling license by CEZA but managed to expand illegal operations in Clark Freeport. He was ordered arrested by the President for bribery and economic sabotage.
Last December, the President announced he was ordering the closure of all online gaming operations since the government was unable to regulate the industry. He later tapped Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to lead a task force to probe the irregular online gambling operations.