Bill to fine gov’t execs playing in casinos
The 1.1 million members of the government bureaucracy should not only be banned but also fined when found playing in casinos, according to a proposal filed by a Quezon City lawmaker.
These include elected and appointed government workers and officials as well as soldiers and policemen.
House Bill 3545 or the proposed Casino Ban Act of 2016 authored by Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo seeks to prohibit all government officials and employees from playing in casinos.
“If there is an actual physical participation in operating the baccarat or slot machines, this can be considered a violation under the proposed bill. But if a government employee or official is just walking inside the casino, that would not make him liable,” Castelo said.
The bill specifies that government personnel are prohibited from “playing” in casinos.
HB 3545 seeks to impose a fine of P100,000 on every government official or personnel found playing in a casino.
The House committee on games and amusements, headed by Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, created a technical working group that would fine-tune the measure.
The panel designated Rep. Mark Aeron Sambar as head of the group.
Earlier, President Duterte ordered government officials caught playing in casinos arrested.
Castelo said the idea is not only to criminalize gambling by government officials and employees and uniformed personnel, but also to address the bad perception that casino gambling creates before the public.
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. assistant vice president Arnold Ferdinand Salvosa said Presidential Decree 1869 clearly identifies those who are banned from entering casinos.
“Our only concern is that the ban does not carry a penalty for violators. The law that you sponsored has that penalty,” Salvosa said.
Under Section 14 of PD 1869, the persons not allowed to play in casinos are public officials connected directly with the operation of the government or any of its agencies; members of the Armed Forces of he Philippines including the Army, Navy, Air Force or Constabulary, and persons under 21 years of age or students of any school, college or university in the Philippines.
Salvosa said based on Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Ethics, which defines public officials, the ban includes elective and appointed officials and employees, permanent or temporary, whether in the career or non-career service including military and police personnel, whether or not they receive compensation regardless of amount.
Memorandum Circular 6 Series of 2016 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea prohibits government personnel from entering, staying or playing in casinos.
Castelo said his bill is in line with President Duterte’s order for the strict implementation of a law prohibiting public servants from entering casinos.
Salvosa said the signage “No Government Official Allowed to Gamble” is put up in casinos nationwide, including the Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque, Resorts World Manila, Okada, City of Dreams and Manila Pavilion Hotel.