‘Prevention, Not Promotion’
With gambling becoming more visible in public events and online platforms, the Baguio Character Council has urged city officials to “take the path of prevention rather than cure,” calling for tighter controls on gambling exposure, especially to young people and families.
In a committee meeting held on March 11, 2026, Rev. Rodolfo De Guia, co-chairperson of the Baguio Character Council, stressed that as a “Character City,” Baguio should reflect its core values of education, faith, and moral formation in its policy choices. For him, limiting gambling visibility in parades, festivals, and other public events is a preventive measure which protects residents before gambling becomes a normalized part of everyday life.
“We have seen fliers and collapsible fans advertising bingo being distributed,, and that kind of extends the coverage. It is similar to saying that we are approving of this because people are walking down Session Road with these hats and fans that say ‘bingo,” De Guia said, adding that Baguio cannot claim to be a Character City while allowing gambling to be prominently displayed during public events.
According to De Guia, the presence of e-bingo and Bingo Plus through float participation and the distribution of branded merchandise during the Panagbenga Parade was cited as blurring the line between regulated gaming and active promotion, giving the impression that the city itself is endorsing gambling.
Meanwhile, resource persons from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) explained that under current regulations for e-bingo and similar electronic games, players are required to declare their monthly income as part of ensuring that betting remains within a reasonable share of their financial capacity. Operators are also mandated to track players’ betting patterns, using electronic records to monitor behavior over time and to flag unusual betting activities that may indicate problem gambling, irresponsible play, or potential fraud. These data-driven measures are meant to support responsible gaming by enabling early detection and intervention.
The committee meeting was led by Councilor Paolo Raynor Salvosa who chairs the Committee on of the Baguio City Council and attended by Councilors Jose Molintas and Elmer Datuin. The meeting aimed to study all recent proposed legislation against gambling and gambling-related advertisements in public places.
Recently, concerned citizens took to social media to raise alarm over the increasing presence of gambling in civic and cultural spaces.
Councilor Datuin and PAGCOR officials discussed crafting clearer guidelines on the participation of gambling-related entities in the Panagbenga Parade and other city-organized events, including how and when their brands may appear, if at all.
The emerging consensus in the committee meeting was that while gambling exists as a regulated activity, Baguio is not obliged to give it prominent public space or festival exposure, especially when that visibility conflicts with the city’s character-building initiatives.
As deliberations continue, the Baguio City Council is studying policies that would both enforce existing national rules on gambling operations and further restrict gambling promotions in public spaces locally.
For the Baguio Character Council and allied sectors from the academic and religious communities, the message is clear: protecting values and families means acting early, keeping gambling from being glamorized, and ensuring that any gaming that does occur is tightly monitored, income-appropriate, and responsibly managed. **Danella Corin David (SP PIO Intern/UB Polsci) & J.G.H.
