The high echelons of the Catholic Church in the Philippines have harshly criticized the policy of legalizing gambling. Pablo Virgilio "Ambo" David, the chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference and the Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Caloocan in Metro Manila, recently lashed out at the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for promoting the legalization of online gambling at the "11th New Evangelization Congress." He bluntly stated that such practices are akin to "modern slavery," and sarcastically added, "If the government really wants to make money, they might as well legalize methamphetamine!"
David revealed that the chairman of PAGCOR had written to the church to defend online gambling, claiming it could increase fiscal revenue. However, David ruthlessly countered, arguing that gambling is highly addictive, particularly enticing to the youth, and cannot be justified in the name of "making money."
He also questioned the effectiveness of the government's so-called technical regulatory measures, pointing out, "In this app-driven digital age, can you really control what young people play?" He believes that the nature of online gambling is criminal, and regulation cannot eradicate its harms.
David emphasized that gambling addiction, like social media addiction, is a "cancer" that destroys families and interpersonal relationships in contemporary society. Countless families are shattered by gambling debts, and young people lose their way in the virtual world. He reiterated on behalf of the church: a firm opposition to the legalization of online gambling, which is not only a moral issue but also a serious threat to future generations.
