Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday called on digital payment platforms to proactively prevent the use of their services for online gambling, saying these companies should be part of the solution and not the problem.

“Konting advice sa mga e-wallets: Tumulong kayo sa bayan. Huwag n’yo nang ipagamit ang inyong platform sa pagsusugal,” Cayetano said during a Facebook livestream on July 7.

“Huwag n’yo nang hintayin y’ung guidelines – kayo na kumilos. Tutal most of you, ang laki naman ng kinikita ng negosyo n’yo,” he added.

He also warned the public that no one really wins in gambling except the operator.

“Sa pagsusugal po, ang nananalo lang talaga ay y’ung bangka — y’ung may-ari. At karamihan sa kanila, tinuturuan pa ang sarili nilang pamilya na huwag magsugal,” he said.

Cayetano has long held a firm anti-gambling stance, opposing casinos and gambling establishments even during his time as a local official in the City of Taguig.

As a senator, he began filing anti-gambling bills as early as 2000. And now, in the 20th Congress, he filed the Anti-Online Gambling Advertisement Act of 2025, which seeks to ban gambling promotions across all media platforms.

The measure complements his sister Senator Pia Cayetano’s Ban on Online Gambling Act, which he co-authors, aiming to prohibit both domestic and offshore online gambling.

In his livestream, Senator Alan reiterated his commitment to use his platform in the Senate to fight such “highly addictive and destructive activities” regardless of their popularity or the political implications.

“‘N’ung 2022 election, number one tayo sa Pulse Asia ng December. Pagdating ng May, I was number four, then ended up seventh,” he recalled.

“Each part of the way, sinasabi sa akin, ‘Alan, panay ang [kontra mo sa] e-sabong, vape, e-cigs. Grabe ang pera d’yan, may backer y’an, may mga sinusuportahan sa pulitika,’” he continued.

“Pero sabi ko, ‘Oo, pero ‘pag nanalo ako, y’an talaga ang lalabanan ko.’ Ngayon may platform ako, kaya tuloy ang laban,” he said.

He also thanked the media for putting the spotlight on the first batch of priority bills filed by senators.

“Y’ung anti-online gambling bill, nabigyan ng mas malawak na exposure kasi ramdam talaga ng media na problema ito sa ating lipunan,” he said.

Cayetano likewise expressed appreciation for the Filipino public, especially online communities, for actively engaging in national discourse and scrutinizing proposed legislation.

He also vowed to use the Senate’s oversight powers to ensure that good, “purpose-driven” proposals will not be scrapped or diluted.

“Part of our job ay gamitin ang Blue Ribbon Committee at oversight powers para hindi po ibasura ang mga safeguards ng ating batas,” he said.