On September 17, Erwin Tulfo, the chairman of the Philippine Senate Committee on Gaming and Entertainment, issued a statement that he does not rule out issuing a subpoena to Meta, as representatives from the company failed to attend a joint Senate hearing. The hearing aimed to investigate the proliferation of online gambling content, with Tulfo emphasizing the need for cooperation from key platform providers to address this social issue.
Focus of the Hearing Conflict
Meta's Public Policy Manager, Jenickson David, explained through a letter that the core experts responsible for gambling policy are based in Singapore and the United States and were unable to attend the hearing due to prior commitments. The company proposed a separate meeting to discuss platform content policies and promised to submit a position paper. Tulfo expressed strong dissatisfaction, stating at the hearing: "Do not force me to use coercive measures, Meta should understand that issuing a subpoena has become a viable option." Senator Lisa Hontiveros then suggested issuing a "show cause order" to Meta Philippines, demanding a formal explanation for their absence.
Background of the Core Dispute
The conflict stems from the increasingly severe problem of online gambling content spreading in the Philippines. Tulfo cited research data indicating that about 65% of Filipino netizens have been exposed to enticing gambling content. The Senate is evaluating two key directions: whether to completely ban online gambling activities or to establish a stricter regulatory framework. This decision directly affects major government plans, including funding for national healthcare and sports development projects.
Importance of Legislative Procedures
Tulfo emphasized the necessity of platform participation: "When the committee expects key stakeholders to attend, especially in the context of gambling content flooding online platforms, the absence of enterprises constitutes a disrespect to the legislative process." He further warned: "If Meta does not respect other committees, do not repeat such behavior in this committee." Several senators noted that social platforms' content delivery algorithms objectively amplify the spread of gambling content.
Subsequent Procedures and Impact
According to Philippine legislative procedures, if Meta formally receives a "show cause order," it must submit a written explanation within a specified period. If the explanation is not accepted, the Senate may issue a compulsory subpoena under Article 18 of the Parliamentary Act. This incident is seen as an important case to test the willingness of technology companies to cooperate with regulatory efforts in Southeast Asian countries, and its outcome may affect regulatory strategies in other regional countries.
