Intensified efforts to curb internet-based gambling within the company ranks announced
In the Philippines, there is no specific law or regulation that explicitly prohibits government employees from engaging in online gambling during working hours. However, such conduct would likely violate existing workplace discipline standards and the general anti-gambling regulatory environment.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) regulates all forms of gambling, including online gaming, and issues licenses to online casinos. However, these sites are not allowed to cater to Filipino residents, aiming to shield locals from gambling addiction [1][2]. General gambling laws in the Philippines, such as Republic Act No. 9287, increase penalties for illegal gambling activities, but do not specifically mention government employees' conduct [2].
Standard workplace rules for government employees typically prohibit any conduct that hampers productivity or violates appropriate use of time and resources. Regulations such as the Civil Service Commission (CSC) rules enforce discipline and prohibit misuse of office time and resources, although these are not explicitly cited in the search results [4].
Employees caught gambling online during office hours face administrative misconduct penalties under Civil Service rules. Councilor Nyza "Nice" Archival, for instance, has requested the blocking of online gambling websites, domains, and applications by the Management Information and Computer Services (Mics) in Cebu City, and has urged the blocking of access to Virtual Private Network (VPN) software, browser extensions, and mobile applications related to online gambling [3].
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed concerns about the social impact of online gambling, including its effects on families, and is considering tighter advertising controls and possible bans [5]. Several lawmakers have filed proposed measures to either regulate or completely ban online gambling, acknowledging its societal impact [6].
If more precise regulatory details or official government employee codes of conduct are needed, consulting the Civil Service Commission or specific agency internal regulations would be advisable as they usually contain explicit prohibitions on non-work-related online activities during official hours. It is important to note that internet access is intended for official duties and public service delivery, and access to online gambling sites and applications leads to addiction, financial distress, moral decay, and decreased productivity [3].
In conclusion, while there is no clear, specific law or regulation directly forbidding government employees from engaging in online gambling during working hours, such conduct would likely violate existing workplace discipline standards and the general anti-gambling regulatory environment that highlights the government’s cautious stance on gambling. Government employees are generally expected to refrain from activities, including online gambling, that interfere with their official duties or use of government time and resources.
- The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), responsible for regulating all forms of gambling, does not allow online casinos to cater to Filipino residents, a measure supposedly aimed at shielding locals from gambling addiction.
- Standard workplace rules for government employees in Cebu City, such as those enforced by the Civil Service Commission, prohibit the use of office time and resources for non-work-related online activities, including online gambling, due to its potential negative impact on productivity, finances, and morality.
