The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has ordered all e-wallet service providers to disconnect their platforms from online gambling sites within 48 hours. The directive was disclosed during a Senate hearing on Thursday, where lawmakers deliberated on measures to regulate or ban online gambling in the country.
BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan confirmed the order when questioned by Senator Allan Peter Cayetano. Cayetano noted, however, that gambling links were still accessible on major e-wallet applications, including GCash, despite the BSP’s earlier directive.
He asked why the removal had not been done immediately, given the urgency of the issue.
“Be very clear here because this hearing is not a joke,” Cayetano said, adding that if the BSP had truly ordered the removal, it should already be implemented. He also sought assurance that all gambling links would be taken down within the 48-hour period.
Senator Erwin Tulfo pressed Tangonan to specify an exact cut-off time for compliance. Tangonan responded that the 48-hour period would end by Saturday, with the BSP expecting all gambling links to be removed by then.
Tulfo allowed until Sunday morning as the latest possible deadline but warned that if any gambling features remained accessible after that, the BSP could face contempt charges from the committee.
“By Sunday morning, if I still see those games in e-wallets, I will hold you in contempt,” Tulfo said.
Senator Joel Villanueva also objected to the 48-hour window, pointing out that an earlier resource person from another agency confirmed the removal could be done immediately. “It is not acceptable,” Villanueva said, stressing that the priority was protecting the public from the dangers associated with online gambling.
According to Tangonan, the 48-hour period was intended to give all e-wallet providers time to implement the order uniformly and to adequately inform the public of the changes. The BSP regulates e-wallet platforms and is coordinating with the necessary agencies to ensure compliance.
The Senate committee will monitor the e-wallet platforms over the weekend to verify that all gambling-related links have been removed within the set timeframe.
