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An ordinance that Cebu Councilor Joel Garganera has already drafted, entitled “Cebu City Anti-Gambling Advertisement Ordinance,” would provide the authority of law to the recent Resolution of the City Council, as well as provide punishments for violators. The ordinance is in response to the Resolution sponsored by Councilor Garganera, which established City Policy prohibiting the use of all forms of gambling advertisements in Cebu City, but contained no punishment for those violating that policy. The drafted ordinance seeks to put the policy into concrete law by ensuring that the city has the power to act against advertisements that may have a negative effect on the public welfare. Garganera’s action seeks to correct the resolution’s shortcomings.
Wide Net Over All Ad Forms
Under the new regulations, Cebu City will now prohibit all forms of advertising associated with gambling that have been seen or heard, or otherwise accessed within its jurisdiction. This includes billboards, tarpaulins, LED displays, print media, radio and television commercials, online advertisements, social media promotions, influence-based marketing, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and any promotional merchandise related to gambling.
Garganera also cites the Local Government Code as the basis for promoting the local population’s moral and well-being, as well as the increasing rate of online gambling and its negative effect on youth and vulnerable groups. According to Garganera, the existence of these advertisements normalizes gambling behaviour, which leads to gambling dependency, financial disaster, and emotional turmoil, resulting in negative consequences for the entire community. All people, companies, advertising agencies, media agencies, gaming operators, and outside companies in Cebu City must comply with regulations enacted under these new laws.
Structured Fines for Repeat Offenses
The penalties for violators are progressively imposed in the draft: a warning and immediate removal of the ad on the first offense, a P3,000 fine on the second offense, and a P5,000 fine with possible suspension or revocation of business permits on the third offense and all subsequent offenses, after holding fair hearings. Garganera stresses that the above-mentioned provisions ensure that the vulnerable sectors of society, especially children, are not easily accessed for exposure that could lead to negative paths. The ordinance is part of the city’s broader initiatives, such as banning online gambling and VPNs on public networks, and reminding employees that betting remains prohibited during working hours.
Agencies Gear Up for Enforcement
The mayor’s office will head the implementation of the plan in partnership with the Business Permit and Licensing Office, Cebu City Police, City Legal Office, National Bureau of Investigation, and other concerned offices to identify, take down, and fine ads. Currently, the committees on laws and the Gamefowl Commission are studying the proposal. The earlier resolution tasked offices with watching for and clearing gambling promotions but held back on fines, limiting its reach. City leaders see this as bolstering their ongoing drive against gambling’s creep, particularly through digital means and events.
Building Stronger Safeguards
If approved, the ordinance would weave Cebu City’s no-gambling-ad policy into solid local statute, ramping up tools for consistent crackdowns. This shift from mere statements to actionable rules promises tighter control over content that sways public behavior. Garganera’s initiative underscores a commitment to shielding communities from betting’s downsides while aligning with legal duties for healthier urban life.
Source: Cebu Daily News
