Iligan City Mayor Frederick Siao has issued Executive Order No. 95 prohibiting all forms of gambling, including online gambling, inside government offices.
The ban includes card games, betting, numbers games, and online platforms like Scatter. According to Siao, office gambling damages work, causes unproductive behavior, and can open the door to corruption and improper conduct.
The order covers all departments, agencies, and facilities of the city. employees and officials who violate it may be subject to administrative penalties ranging from reprimand, suspension, to dismissal, in addition to possible criminal charges. As for non-employees, they will first be banned and if they continue, they will be removed from the premises, with the possibility of legal action.
Department heads have been instructed to implement strict vigilance. All employees are also encouraged to immediately report any cases of gambling to their supervisors for prompt action.
The move is supported by some lawmakers who are calling for a national ban on online gambling. There are bills that advocate for stricter regulations and a total ban, including removing gambling links from e-wallet apps.
