Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano criticized the Philippines’ central bank Wednesday for waiting until the day of a Senate hearing to order e-wallet providers to remove links to online gambling sites.
Cayetano, who chairs the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, questioned Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan during the Aug. 14 hearing on online gambling.
The senator said he personally verified that gambling site links remained active on staff members’ e-wallet apps despite the central bank’s directive.
Tangonan confirmed the BSP issued the 48-hour removal order only that day, though the bank had circulated a proposal to e-wallet operators in July.
“You circulated a proposal to e-wallets and waited for their reply, then only ordered today? Because there’s a hearing today?” Cayetano said, speaking partly in Filipino.
The senator challenged the 48-hour timeframe after the Department of Information and Communications Technology confirmed immediate removal was technically possible.
“Why give them 48 hours if you’re certain? If someone dies in 48 hours because they got addicted, is that OK with us?” Cayetano asked.
Tangonan said the grace period allows time to remove both in-app links and icons while letting consumers withdraw funds from gaming accounts. All gambling links should be removed by close of business Saturday, he said.
Cayetano, the only 2022 Senate candidate with an explicit anti-gambling platform, called for decisive regulatory action. He said he receives complaints that e-wallets are being used for illegal online gambling.
The Philippines has struggled with regulating online gambling, which generates significant revenue but faces criticism over addiction concerns and money laundering risks.
