CSC eyes gambling ban for gov employees, seeks legislation

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is considering a comprehensive ban on gambling for government employees, but emphasizes that such a prohibition would require legislation to be enacted.

CSC Chairperson Marilyn Barua-Yap stated that a "legal cover" is needed for a sweeping ban on all government employees engaging in any form of gambling, including online platforms.

She recommended a study and input for the possibility of passing a law regarding the conduct of government employees on gambling.

While the Office of the President issued a memorandum in 2016 barring government workers from entering casinos, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government recently ordered its personnel to cease online gambling, no current law specifically prohibits government employees from gambling outside of office hours.