The rampant issues of online scams and gambling in the Philippines have increasingly become rampant in recent years, from telecommunications fraud to cross-border money laundering, from counterfeit e-commerce to gambling traps, which have seriously threatened the financial security of the public and the financial order of the nation. In response to this trend, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has finally "slammed the table."
On August 26, at the 2025 Manila Tech Summit held in Taguig City, he publicly stated that the government must take strong measures, "not only to protect consumers' wallets but also to cultivate the next generation of talents who can excel in the digital economy."
Three Key Reforms: Comprehensive Upgrades from Legislation to Regulation
Marcos revealed that the government is advancing several core reforms to systematically address online scams:
Anti-Financial Account Fraud Act: To curb online financial fraud and money laundering from the source, strengthening risk control in banks and payment systems;
The establishment of the E-commerce Bureau: Specifically responsible for regulating online transactions, strictly monitoring e-commerce platforms to prevent the proliferation of counterfeit goods and fraudulent transactions;
Continuous implementation of the SIM Card Registration Law: To eliminate the old trick of fraud groups using frequent mobile number changes to evade tracking, forming a closed loop of communication port governance.
"These reforms are to ensure that consumers are not cheated when shopping and not deceived in transactions." Marcos emphasized that merely combating fraud is not enough; the government also wants to bring the opportunities of the digital economy to every Filipino.
Online Gambling as a Key Target for Crackdown
At the summit, Marcos also unusually named online gambling as a social menace. He stated that online gambling "exploits the weaknesses of the people," not only causing damage to family finances but also potentially endangering the national financial system. The government has begun to take strict measures, including restricting access to online gambling platforms and suspending the gambling functions of some websites and mobile payment applications.
Among them, the controversial POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) has become a focus of rectification. Members of both houses of Congress have proposed bills seeking to restrict or even completely ban online gambling, and the Central Bank of the Philippines has also ordered electronic wallet platforms to remove all gambling-related application links to cut off the funding chain between payments and gambling.
New Emerging Risks: AI and Digital Currencies
Marcos warned that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital currencies are also being abused by criminal groups, giving rise to more complex scams and cross-border crimes. He emphasized that the government will not ignore these risks and will promote more efficient and transparent regulatory mechanisms, integrating technological innovation into governance to protect public interests.
The Strategic Importance of the Digital Economy
Despite the risks, the Philippine digital economy has maintained rapid growth. Data shows that by 2024, its output has reached 2.25 trillion pesos, accounting for 8.5% of the national GDP. This means that the digital economy is not only an important engine of the Philippine economy but also a strategic industry that the government must protect and support.
"Two-Handed Strategy": Both Anti-Fraud and Talent Development
In the summit summary, Marcos once again emphasized the government's "two-handed strategy": on one hand, to "get tough" and vigorously combat online fraud and illegal gambling, protecting the financial security of the public; on the other hand, through training and relearning programs, helping Filipinos master emerging skills such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cross-border e-commerce, and creative design, enabling them to take the lead in the global digital economy.
"We want Filipinos not to be cheated when shopping, but also to have the ability to seize opportunities in the future economy," Marcos said.
This statement has been interpreted by the industry as a clear warning to POGO and online gambling enterprises, showing that the government is no longer just staying at verbal criticism but is prepared to take practical actions to rectify the chaos. In the future, the governance pattern of the Philippine digital economy will face a profound transformation.
