No mention of gambling prohibition in Philippines President’s state of the nation address
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr of the Philippines has omitted any mention of a mooted outright ban for online gambling in his annual state of the nation address (SONA).
Key points:
– President focused on flooding and geopolitical tensions rather than gambling in his state of the nation address (SONA)
– Many expected Marcos to comment on proposed House Bill 1876, which would ban online gambling if passed
Flooding, geopolitical threats, burgeoning alliances and defence – all of these were covered by Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In his annual state of the nation address, with no mention of any ban on gambling.
Support for an online gambling prohibition has been gathering momentum in the Philippines over past weeks and months, and House Bill 1876 which would commit that motion to law has polarised the Government.
Any talk of online gambling whatsoever was conspicuously absent from President ‘Bongbong’ Marcos’ speech.
Earlier in July, the Philippine Church joined the chorus calling for a total ban on online gambling, with Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines likening it to ‘modern-day slavery’ due to its addictive qualities.
Opposition to the bill suggests gambling will always exist and regulating the industry is one way of keeping it under control, though President Marcos’ administration is said to be still carefully considering the topic, which is perhaps why why he has remained silent now.
Good to know: The annual SONA (State of the Nation Address) was mandated by law in the 1987 constitution immediately following the overthrowing of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s father, who had ruled the country from 1965 to 1986
Last year’s SONA was when the President announced the outright ban on POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators).
Many expected a similar moment this year though, instead, Marcos expressed his desire to stamp out corruption in flood-control projects and alluded to external threats to the Philippines’ sovereignty.
Speaking at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, he said: “To those who conspired to steal public funds and rob the future of our people, you should be ashamed.”
Floods have recently ravaged the Philippines, with more than 200,000 displaced and over 30 dead in the recent spate.
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