The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Philippines recently reiterated the strict prohibition against all employees entering casinos and other gambling establishments. Secretary Manuel Bonoan emphasized once again the need to strictly enforce the gambling ban issued in 2016, which prohibits any public official from participating in any form of gambling activities, including casinos, cockfighting arenas, or racetracks.
This reminder comes after recent reports that some DPWH employees, including regional engineers and department heads, were found in gambling venues. The situation is currently under verification. Bonoan has asked unit heads to take responsibility and ensure that their subordinates are fully aware of this prohibition, and if necessary, to discipline violators according to the "Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service" (RRACCS).
According to regulations, violating the gambling ban is considered a minor disciplinary offense. First-time offenders will receive a written warning, repeat offenders may face suspension from 1 to 30 days, and a third offense will result in dismissal.
DPWH stated that with the department currently managing numerous infrastructure projects and handling funds amounting to billions of pesos, strict enforcement of the gambling ban is crucial for maintaining the integrity of public services. An official noted, "The order is very clear, no one in the department is exempt," and any misconduct could severely affect DPWH's credibility, especially at a time when there is high public scrutiny on government transparency and accountability.
