ESPRESSO MORNINGS
By Joe Zaldarriaga
Under his guidance, Meralco achieved unprecedented milestones, clinching a historic 3-peat Company of the Year title at the IABC Philippine Quill Awards, scoring the only PR Team of the Year trophy bestowed at the Anvil Awards, and securing numerous honors at international and local communication awards.
Manong Joe’s leadership also extends as a respected member of the Board of Trustees for the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), concurrent with his role as Chairman of the International Association of Business Communicators Philippines (IABC Philippines) where he also served as its President.
Manong Joe is a distinguished awardee of the medallion of honor and scroll of commendation from the University of Manila, owing to his years in public service as a communications professional. He shares his insights through columns in renowned publications, including The Philippine Star’s The Z Factor, and Philippine News Agency’s ESPRESSO MORNINGS.
In 2022, fresh off his election win, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. laid out a bold vision: to digitalize the Philippine economy and government. The goal was clear: to leverage technology to build new industries, improve public service delivery, and unlock employment and investment opportunities.
Three years on, that vision began to take shape. Digital transformation has accelerated business transactions, expanded financial inclusion, and brought essential services closer to the people. The momentum is real, and the potential, even greater.
Digitalization is transforming the way the government and economy operate. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the share of digital payments in monthly retail transactions surged to 57.4 percent by volume in 2024, up from 52.8 percent in 2023. In terms of value, digital payments also grew significantly, reaching 59 percent in 2024 compared to 55.3 percent the previous year.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Marcos Jr. reaffirmed that digitalization continues to be a key pillar of his administration. He emphasized that going digital is not just about streamlining business processes- it is a strategic move to enhance efficiency, improve transparency, and combat graft and corruption.
While digitalization brings immense opportunities, it also presents new challenges. Alongside its many benefits, it has opened doors to illicit and harmful activities. One of the most concerning issues is the rapid rise of online gambling, which has become a booming industry taking a toll on Filipino families, leading to debt, addiction, and even criminal behavior.
The growing concern over online gambling has reached the halls of Congress. Several legislators have pointed to digital platforms- particularly e-wallets- as key enablers of the rising tide of gambling addiction in the Philippines. Even before the 20th Congress officially opened in late July 2025, multiple bills and resolutions had already been filed to investigate and address the issue.
This alarm over e-wallets’ role in facilitating online gambling prompted a Senate hearing last month, led by Senator Erwin Tulfo, chair of the Committee on Games and Amusement. The hearing was jointly conducted with the Committees on Banks and Financial Institutions, Youth, Economic Affairs, and Ways and Means.
In his opening statement, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri identified several digital giants as key conduits in the spread of online gambling. Many of these giants refer to themselves as “super apps” as their mobile application platforms serve not only as payment platforms but also offer other financial and non-financial products and services.
Other senators echoed Zubiri’s concerns, criticizing digital apps that serve as payment platforms for online gambling operators, enabling convenient top-ups and withdrawals for online gambling operators. They argued that this convenience fuels addiction, making it easier for users to sustain harmful habits.
However, while these concerns are valid, the narrative oversimplifies the issue. Many lawmakers focus solely on e-wallets, overlooking the broader digital ecosystem. Online gambling is not confined to payment apps; it has infiltrated e-commerce platforms, widely used messaging apps, and established social media networks to entice more Filipinos to play.
Likewise, online gambling platforms can survive without e-wallets. While e-wallets are often utilized as convenient payment channels, they are not the only option. Major players in the online gambling industry have the capacity to develop their own payment systems or partner with alternative providers to bypass restrictions imposed on e-wallets.
Moreover, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) legalization of online gambling has placed financial institutions, especially e-wallets, in a difficult position. Many online gambling operators are legally registered entities, and that makes it quite challenging for digital platforms to simply sever partnerships without risking contractual violations or potential lawsuits. This highlights the limits of self-regulation and the need for government intervention to break the deadlock.
Online gambling is not a problem confined to e-wallets; it’s a digital ecosystem issue. Virtually every player in the digital space is either being exploited or is vulnerable to exploitation by the online gambling industry. From payment platforms to e-commerce sites, messaging apps, and social media networks, the reach of online gambling is wide and deeply embedded.
To address this, government action must be comprehensive and forward-thinking. Lawmakers should align with BSP’s outline of digital marketplace model. Unfortunately, there are several officials that single out e-wallets as the sole enabler of gambling addiction, which is an ineffective approach. Instead, a multi-sectoral strategy is needed, and one that recognizes the complexity of the digital landscape and ensures that every channel, platform, and stakeholder is part of the solution.
Government must also recognize and learn from the safeguards already in place within e-wallet systems and other digital platforms. These platforms have implemented preventive mechanisms to discourage misuse, including Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, verification checklists, and intentional delays such as a minimum 3-minute buffer to disrupt impulsive access to gambling sites.
I have also said this several times in previous engagements with different stakeholders- we can also harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in business operations. Other countries have been looking into using personalized responsible solutions using data and artificial intelligence (AI). E-wallets can mirror this and leverage behavioral data analytics to monitor user spending patterns, helping identify risky behaviors and flag potential abuse. Through these, digital giants can position themselves as responsible stakeholders not only concerned with profit and capital accumulation but as an ally in solidarity for the common good of every Filipino.
There must also be measures in place to ensure that all industry players are doing their respective roles. To demonstrate sincerity, identified digital apps should ensure even and consistent implementation. These digital giants cannot afford to trick each other in the name of profit because it is the whole industry that will suffer.
Lastly, invoke the intervention of PAGCOR. While industry players themselves are capable of self-regulation, this approach does not guarantee that all players will cooperate. The intervention and proactive role of state bodies, especially PAGCOR, is truly necessary to ensure even implementation of the regulation and proper identification of accountability in cases of non-cooperation and deviance among industry players.
As we embrace innovation, we must also strengthen safeguards to ensure that technology uplifts lives. A holistic, multi-platform approach is essential to protect Filipinos from the growing risks of online gambling. The future of digital progress must be one that protects, empowers, and prioritizes the well-being of every Filipino.
