MANILA, Philippines – Ipinanukala ni Senador Francis “Chiz” Escudero ang total ban sa buong bansa ang lahat ng gambling-related advertisements at sponsorships upang masawata ang pagkalulong sa sugal habang pinoprotektahan ang kabataan at iba pang mahihinang grupo.
Sa pahayag, sinabi ni Escudero na sinasalamin ng panukala ang naunang pagbaka ng bansa sa industriya ng tabako sa ilalim ng Republic Act 9211, o ang Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, na naglalayong magkaroon ng sweeping restrictions sa advertising upang protektahan ang public health.
“It’s about time that we regulate the gambling industry the same way we regulated tobacco two decades ago,” aniya sa paghahain ng fenate Bill No. 2347.
Mahigpit na ipinagbabawal sa RA 9211 na pawang sinuportahan ni Escudero bilang kongresista ng Sorsogon, na ipinagbabawal ang tobacco advertising sa lahat ng uri ng media tulad ng print, broadcast, electronic, at outdoor media at mahigpit na ipinagbawal ang paggamit ng celebrity endorsements at branded placements sa entertainment content,na napatunayang epektibo dahil bumaba ang bilang ng kabataan na naninigarilyo.
“SB 2347 seeks to apply a similar standard to gambling promotions by banning advertisements on television, radio, print, online, and social media platforms, including celebrity endorsements and influencer campaigns. The bill also calls for responsible gambling advisories in authorized consumer communications to remind the public of the risks of compulsive gaming,” giit ni Escudero sa panukala.
Binanggit din ni Escudeero ang naunang inisyatiba ng Ad Standards Council (ASC), nba boluntaryong nagpalabas ng self-regulation circular na inaatasan ang miyembro na ipagbawal ang gambling imagery paraphernalia sa lahat ng media platforms.
“My bill shall institutionalize this effort by placing the restrictions under a national legal framework, ensuring uniform enforcement and preventing gaps in regulation,” aniya.
“While the gambling industry contributes significantly to government revenues, employment, and tourism, it has likewise fueled advertisements, promotions, sponsorships, marketing, and other analogous consumer communications that are becoming increasingly pervasive, sophisticated, and targeted,” dagdag ni Escudero. Ernie Reyes
