House Deputy Speaker and Zambales First District Representative Jay Khonghun has issued a strong and urgent appeal to halt the proliferation of online gambling in the country, warning of its growing toll on Filipino families, mental health, and national well-being.
In a press statement released Monday, Khonghun condemned the spread of online gambling platforms, describing them as deceptive forms of entertainment that mask deeper societal damage.
“Mariin kong tinututulan ang patuloy na paglaganap ng online gambling sa ating bansa. Sa unang tingin, ito’y tila simpleng aliwan lamang—isang virtual na laro ng suwerte. Ngunit sa likod ng makukulay na graphics at mabilisang kita, libo-libong pamilya ang unti-unting nasisira,” he said.
Khonghun painted a grim picture of everyday Filipinos falling victim to online gambling’s false promises, pointing to cases of addiction, mounting debt, and family neglect.
“Ang isang ama ay nalululong at nauubos ang kita sa isang pindot. Ang isang ina ay napipilitang mangutang dahil sa asawang nalulong sa pustahan. Ang mga anak ay napapabayaan, ang edukasyon ay naisasantabi, at ang mga tahanan ay nawawasak,” he added.
The Zambales lawmaker emphasized that the issue goes beyond morality—it strikes at the core of economic stability, mental health, and the country’s future.
“Hindi ito simpleng isyu ng moralidad—ito’y isang isyu ng kapakanan, kabuhayan, at kinabukasan… Ang online gambling ay tahimik na salot—sumisira, sumasakal, at nagpapahina sa pundasyon ng ating lipunan,” he warned.
Khonghun also called on fellow public officials to take decisive action against what he described as an exploitative system enriching a few while destroying the lives of many.
“Bilang lingkod-bayan, tungkulin nating pigilan ang anumang uri ng sistemang nagpapayaman sa iilan kapalit ng pagkasira ng marami,” he said. “Hindi natin kayang ipikit ang ating mga mata habang dahan-dahang nilalamon ng bisyo ang ating mga kababayan.”
The Deputy Speaker concluded with a powerful appeal to society to reject the influence of vice and instead uphold the values of dignity, discipline, and compassion.
“Ang tunay na progreso ay hindi makakamit sa mga numerong tumutugma sa isang screen, kundi sa pagkakaroon ng matatag na pamilya, edukadong kabataan, at malinis na pamahalaan. Kaya’t nananawagan ako: Itigil na ang online gambling. Huwag na nating hayaan ang kinabukasan ng ating mga anak ay matalo sa isang laro ng suwerte,” he declared. “Ang bansa natin ay hindi dapat pinamumunuan ng bisyo—kundi ng dangal, disiplina, at malasakit.”
Khonghun’s remarks add to the growing chorus of concern among lawmakers and civil society groups calling for stricter regulations—or an outright ban—on online gambling platforms operating across the country.