BSP GIVES E-WALLETS 48-HOURS TO UNLINK ONLINE GAMBLING SITES

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Thursday  ordered e-wallet platforms to remove within 48-hours their in-app links that connect users to online gambling sites.

BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan issued the directive the same day the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement held its first hearing on the controversial online gambling.

“We provided 48 hours to give time to BSFIs (BSP-supervised financial institutions ) to take down those in-app links or icons to online gambling sites. The other reason is to give consumers time to withdraw their funds from the online gaming accounts (before access is cut-off from e-wallet apps),” Tangonan said.

However, some senators condemned the lack of political will of BSP  to outrightly order the digital wallet to delink their apps from online gambling platforms.

“You circulated a proposal to e-wallets and you waited for their reply, and you only gave the order today? Is it because we have a hearing today?” Cayetano said.

“If someone dies within 48 hours because they got addicted, is it okay? Or is it profit lost? Cayetano further said.

Senator Erwin Tulfo, chairman of the Senate Games and Amusements Committee, said he will have Tangonan cited in contempt if he learns that digital wallets can still be used to gamble online after the 48-hour period.