Filipino bishops call online gambling addiction 'bagong salot or new plague'
In a statement signed by CBCP President and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, the group of Filipino bishops described online gambling as a deep and widespread moral issue hiding in entertainment and technology.
'Sa pagsusugal ang konsensiya ay unti-unting nagiging manhid. Tinuturuan tayong isipin na ito ay 'normal,' 'pampasaya,' o 'wala namang masama',' CBCP said.
(With gambling, the conscience gradually becomes numb. We are taught to think that it is 'normal,' 'fun,' or 'there is nothing wrong with it.')
The prelates noted that online gambling has become a public health crisis, comparing it to illegal drugs and other addictions, as it not only destroys a person but also a family's relationship.
'Hindi natin matiis na manahimik sapagkat ang pagkasugapa at ang pagiging talamak ng sugal ay salot, isang virus na sumisira at pumapatay sa mga indibidwal, pamilya at lipunan,' CBCP said.
(We cannot afford to remain silent because addiction and the prevalence of gambling are a plague, a virus that destroys and kills individuals, families and societies.)
The bishops also urged the government to impose appropriate regulations on online payment systems to restrict the public, especially the youth, from using them for online gambling.
The government, they church leaders said, could prioritize the welfare of the public and not to promote gambling for the income this can generate.
Meanwhile, the CBCP called on the faithful to speak out against online gambling and help addicts recover.
'Hindi laban sa pagsasaya ang Simbahan pero kapag ang kasiyahan ay nagiging sanhi ng pagkaalipin, at ang 'libangan' ay nagiging dahilan ng pagkawasak ng buhay — kailangan naming manawagan at magbigay ng babala,' CBCP said.
(The Church is not against having fun, but when fun becomes a cause of slavery, and 'fun' becomes a cause of the destruction of life — we must call out and issue a warning.)
'Nais naming magpa-alala na tayo'y makakaalpas sa pagkaalipin sa pamamagitan ng marangal na trabaho, at sa patuloy na pagtahak ng landas ng katotohanan, kabutihan, katarungan, at higit sa lahat sa biyaya ng Diyos,' it added.
(We remind everyone that we can break free from addiction through honest work, by continuing to walk the path of truth, goodness, and justice — and above all, the grace of God.)
Proposed legislations
Akbayan party-list Representatives Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Ismulla filed a measure restricting access to online gambling.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday proposed a measure that would impose strict regulations for online gambling in the country.
Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a bill seeking to ban online gambling access in e-wallets and super apps in response to the growing clamor for tighter regulations on such games.
Senator JV Ejercito, who earlier called for urgent and stricter government regulation of online gambling, said that he may consider pushing for its total ban depending on the results from studies.
Meanwhile, Senator Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubir filed a bill seeking an outright ban on all forms of online gambling. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
11 hours ago
- GMA Network
Filipino bishops call online gambling addiction 'bagong salot or new plague'
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday warned the faithful against online gambling, calling it bagong salot or a new plague. In a statement signed by CBCP President and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, the group of Filipino bishops described online gambling as a deep and widespread moral issue hiding in entertainment and technology. 'Sa pagsusugal ang konsensiya ay unti-unting nagiging manhid. Tinuturuan tayong isipin na ito ay 'normal,' 'pampasaya,' o 'wala namang masama',' CBCP said. (With gambling, the conscience gradually becomes numb. We are taught to think that it is 'normal,' 'fun,' or 'there is nothing wrong with it.') The prelates noted that online gambling has become a public health crisis, comparing it to illegal drugs and other addictions, as it not only destroys a person but also a family's relationship. 'Hindi natin matiis na manahimik sapagkat ang pagkasugapa at ang pagiging talamak ng sugal ay salot, isang virus na sumisira at pumapatay sa mga indibidwal, pamilya at lipunan,' CBCP said. (We cannot afford to remain silent because addiction and the prevalence of gambling are a plague, a virus that destroys and kills individuals, families and societies.) The bishops also urged the government to impose appropriate regulations on online payment systems to restrict the public, especially the youth, from using them for online gambling. The government, they church leaders said, could prioritize the welfare of the public and not to promote gambling for the income this can generate. Meanwhile, the CBCP called on the faithful to speak out against online gambling and help addicts recover. 'Hindi laban sa pagsasaya ang Simbahan pero kapag ang kasiyahan ay nagiging sanhi ng pagkaalipin, at ang 'libangan' ay nagiging dahilan ng pagkawasak ng buhay — kailangan naming manawagan at magbigay ng babala,' CBCP said. (The Church is not against having fun, but when fun becomes a cause of slavery, and 'fun' becomes a cause of the destruction of life — we must call out and issue a warning.) 'Nais naming magpa-alala na tayo'y makakaalpas sa pagkaalipin sa pamamagitan ng marangal na trabaho, at sa patuloy na pagtahak ng landas ng katotohanan, kabutihan, katarungan, at higit sa lahat sa biyaya ng Diyos,' it added. (We remind everyone that we can break free from addiction through honest work, by continuing to walk the path of truth, goodness, and justice — and above all, the grace of God.) Proposed legislations Akbayan party-list Representatives Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Ismulla filed a measure restricting access to online gambling. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday proposed a measure that would impose strict regulations for online gambling in the country. Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a bill seeking to ban online gambling access in e-wallets and super apps in response to the growing clamor for tighter regulations on such games. Senator JV Ejercito, who earlier called for urgent and stricter government regulation of online gambling, said that he may consider pushing for its total ban depending on the results from studies. Meanwhile, Senator Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubir filed a bill seeking an outright ban on all forms of online gambling. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- GMA Network
Jessica Soho challenges UP Diliman graduates to be worthy of being 'Iskolar ng Bayan'
Jessica Soho delivered an inspiring keynote speech at the 114th General Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines Diliman on Sunday. The veteran Kapuso broadcast journalist returned to her alma mater not only to celebrate the graduates' academic achievements but also to issue a call to action on the honor and responsibility of being an "Iskolar ng Bayan." "Eh ano ngayon kung UP kayo?" Soho asked. "Kapag may nagsabi sa inyo nito, don't be triggered, don't take it as an insult, but a gentle nudge, challenge or reminder na, 'Yes, UP tayo, what a blessing, but it is also a responsibility.'" Soho encouraged the Class of 2024, many of whom began college during the pandemic, to keep using their voices to inspire change. "With your voice, baka naman, may pag-asa na. Maybe you are the change we've long been waiting for," she said. She also urged graduates to stay connected to their communities, echoing the Filipino values of "loob" and "kapwa." "Hindi mo puwedeng sabihing maganda ang loob mo kung wala kang malasakit sa kapwa," she said. "UP and society must go hand in hand. We are not above the people, we are part of them," she added. The "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" journalist reminded the crowd that inspiration often comes from real-life stories. She shared how relationships helped her uncover some of the most important reports in her career. She recalled her award-winning investigative piece, "Kidneys for Sale," which exposed how impoverished Filipinos in Tondo were selling their organs to survive. "I would not have stumbled on another story if an old acquaintance did not trust me enough to lead me and my team to one of the poorest neighborhoods in Tondo, where poor men sell their kidneys," she said. "Because of our exposé, the government now regulates kidney donations. Bawal na, diumano, ang kidneys for sale," she added. "Update: marami pa rin ang nagbebenta ng kidney." Throughout her 40-year career, Soho also highlighted some of her most memorable media coverages, including the Afghanistan war in 2002, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the 1990 Baguio earthquake, the Ormoc flash floods in 1991, and Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Soho also said that studying at UP means connecting the learning to the realities of life. "To be humble and thankful. Oo UP kayo, huwag maging mayabang. Magpasalamat. Maging mapagkumbaba. Stay grounded. Hindi tayo naiba o nakaangat kung 'di kaisa ng komunidad at ng lipunan," she said. "Relationships are important. Your lives will be richer if you include people who are not like you," she added. "Reach out to more people, get out of your own circles or silos or echo chambers." "Sa panahon ngayon na lahat tayo meron nang boses, na puwede pang i-amplify o palakasin sa pamamagitan ng social media, kailangan din nating makinig and listen well." As she concluded her speech, Soho urged graduates to keep asking questions, disrupt what is broken, and use their privilege for good. "You have the skills, the tools, and technology. Use them for good. But yes, toughen up," she said. "No one becomes an expert overnight, and to learn is to fail. So keep trying, don't crumble," she added. Soho ended with a short but powerful message of encouragement to the graduates: "Go rock the world!" —Hermes Joy Tunac/Mariel Celine Serquina/MGP, GMA Integrated News
_2025_07_02_14_18_34.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
GMA Network
7 days ago
- GMA Network
More Filipinos turn to backyard farming for daily food needs, DOH study shows
More Filipino households are choosing to grow their own food through backyard gardening and small-scale animal raising, according to the Department of Health's 2024 Health Promotion Longitudinal Study. According to the study, a growing number of Filipinos prefer to source their daily meals from homegrown vegetables and home-raised livestock, reflecting a shift toward healthier, more sustainable lifestyles. With this, the health department is promoting simple and practical ways for families to start their own backyard farms, emphasizing that even small home spaces can be transformed into productive and nutritious gardens. 'Gawing isang luntiang tahanan ang iyong bahay na puno ng masustansyang halaman,'the agency said in its health promotion post on Facebook. (Make your home a green and healthy space.) To help households begin their own food gardens, the DOH recommends choosing an area that meets the following conditions: Receives full sunlight throughout the day Has a reliable water source and well-drained soil Enjoys good air circulation Has fertile soil suitable for planting The health department has been supporting community- and home-based gardening efforts as part of its wider campaign to improve food security, promote healthy eating habits, and build resilience against rising food costs and supply disruptions. Backyard gardening also supports the DOH's push for preventive health care, as access to fresh, chemical-free produce has been linked to lower risks of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Meanwhile, community-based gardening efforts like BGC's urban farm and a Tondo community turning an idle soccer field into a vegetable farm, continue to rise in popularity. In 2024, Quezon City even started offering land tax exemptions to encourage urban farms. Just a word of warning if you want to start your backyard farming: Make sure to have thorough post-harvest processing to avoid risk of presence in your harvest. — LA, GMA Integrated News
