The Philippine government is accelerating its digital governance efforts, tackling online gambling and telecommunications fraud simultaneously.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian recently called for urgent action from regulatory bodies to combat the infiltration of daily applications by online gambling platforms such as POGO. He specifically mentioned that social and e-commerce software like Viber, Telegram, and Lazada are being exploited by gambling sites, describing this practice as "malicious and predatory." He demanded that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) immediately remove related content to prevent mobile phones and apps from becoming tools for gambling.
Meanwhile, the DICT is also strengthening its governance against cyber fraud. The department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a Fraud Prevention and Investigation Collaboration Framework with telecommunications giant Globe, initiating a shared SIM card registration information mechanism. In the future, Globe will provide relevant data to the DICT through an interface for fraud complaint investigations. Minister Henry Aguda emphasized that the information will be used solely for lawful enforcement and will undergo strict privacy protection procedures.
Aguda noted that most frauds are still related to SIM cards, and the new mechanism will help trace the origins of fraud, reducing the risk of public victimization. DICT also plans to ban the sale of devices like IMSI catchers on e-commerce platforms, cutting off the tools of fraud at the source. Previously, Globe had already blocked text messages containing clickable links. If successful, this mechanism will also be extended to other telecommunications operators.
Industry insiders believe that the Philippine government is forming a dual front of "online gambling governance + telecommunications fraud prevention" to create a safer digital environment for the public.
