By Helen Castaño | 07:29 PM July 24, 2025
TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL — Bishop Alberto “Abet” Uy of the Diocese of Tagbilaran has called for a total and permanent ban on online gambling in the Philippines, warning that it is destroying lives, families, and moral values, particularly among the poor.
In a pastoral statement released Thursday, Uy appealed directly to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and lawmakers, saying online gambling is a “public sin” that masquerades as entertainment but leads to addiction, debt, despair, and even suicide.
“Let me speak plainly: online gambling is evil. It feeds on the vulnerable. It robs people of time, dignity, and peace,” Uy said, citing testimonies from parishes where families have been torn apart by gambling-related problems.
He emphasized that regulation is not enough, calling online gambling a “moral and spiritual crisis” that demands decisive action from the government. “No amount of government income or corporate gain can justify the loss of human dignity and the breakdown of Filipino families,” he said.
Uy, who will be installed as Archbishop of Cebu in September, urged Filipinos to reject online gambling and support those affected by addiction. He reminded the faithful that God’s mercy offers a path to healing and called on national leaders to “choose life over luck.”
“We beg you: do not allow this poison to continue spreading into the homes, phones, and hearts of our people,” he said.
