Senate Minority Leader Questions Casino Gambling Rules
Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III strongly criticized a statement from a Civil Service Commission (CSC) commissioner regarding the lack of laws banning government officials and employees from participating in online or land-based casino gambling outside office hours. This exact four word keyphrase, “government officials and employees,” is central to the ongoing debate about ethical conduct in public service.
“I am bothered by the Civil Service Commission saying that the district engineers had not done anything wrong. Let me place on record and for the information of the CSC, there are laws and memoranda prohibiting government officials (and employees) from casinos,” Sotto declared during his privilege speech, emphasizing the need for clear rules governing public servants.
CSC Commissioner’s Statement Sparks Controversy
The statement came from CSC Commissioner Marilyn Barua Yap during a budget hearing for the 2026 CSC budget before the Committee on Appropriations. Yap claimed that no specific law exists that prohibits government officials and employees from gambling in casinos outside working hours.
However, senators have raised concerns following hearings by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee about several district engineers frequently visiting casinos amid investigations on the Department of Public Works and Highways’ flood control projects. Community members and local leaders alike expressed unease over these revelations.
Existing Laws and Memoranda Prohibit Casino Gambling
According to officials familiar with the matter, Yap mentioned that the only restriction currently in place is an executive order—Memorandum Circular No. 06, series of 2016—issued by the Office of the President. This circular forbids government officials and employees from entering gambling casinos except when performing official duties. Simply being present in such establishments is considered “conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.”
Sotto countered this by citing Presidential Decree 1869 from 1983, which consolidated and amended various decrees related to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor). He pointed out Section 14, which explicitly prohibits government officials directly connected with government operations from playing in casinos. “Sec 14, Persons not allowed to play; A) government officials connected directly with the operation of the government or any of its agencies; B) members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including the Army, Navy and Air Force; C) persons under 21 years of age or students of any school, college or university in the Philippines,” he explained.
Additional Policies Reinforce Ethical Standards
Moreover, Republic Act 6713, enacted in February 1989, along with Memorandum Circular No. 8 in August 2001, established a strict code of conduct for public employees. These policies continue to uphold high ethical standards for government officials and employees.
“These policies stand. It is best that CSC review their understanding of the law. We should always be careful in our pronouncements. We enjoin the Commission on Appointments to be careful in the officials they confirm,” Sotto urged, underscoring the importance of accountability and integrity in public service.
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