Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto announced on December 8 that the city has passed an ordinance prohibiting the promotion and advertising of gambling in public spaces.
Sotto hailed the measure as a major step in fighting gambling addiction, noting the destructive impact of “active-play gambling games.”
He said, “Kung kusang hanapin ito ng isang tao, desisyon niya yun; pero ibang usapan naman yung maya’t maya pinapaalalahanan/hinihikayat ka pabalik doon.”
He added, “I trust that no one will give us a hard time for passing this ordinance.”
Pasig City was the first local government in 2022 to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) and computer gambling shops, also known as e-games.
Sotto recalled receiving messages to reconsider the earlier bans, including offers of money to at least two councilors, but said, “But we stood firm.”
President Bongbong Marcos subsequently banned all POGOs in 2024, reinforcing local efforts to curb gambling activities.