In a Facebook post, Digital Pinoys said the initial list they submitted to Meta included several social media influencers with followers ranging from hundreds of thousands to nearly 10 million. Those affected include Boy Tapang (5.5 million followers), Sachzna Laparan (9.7 million followers), Kuya Lex TV (100,000 followers) and actor Mark Anthony Fernandez (242,000 followers). The action comes as social media gambling content in the Philippines has come under increasing scrutiny, with authorities warning influencers and content creators that they must be held accountable for their role in directing users to unlicensed platforms.

The CICC said influencers who ignored previous notices to remove gambling promotions have received "show-cause orders" requiring them to explain their actions or face potential criminal charges.

Warnings ignored, authorities step up enforcement

According to the Philippine Star, CICC had asked the relevant influencers to remove content involving illegal gambling by July 11. Digital Pinoys pointed out that many people ignored the deadline and continued to post related content, mistakenly believing that they would not be held accountable.

The 20 pages that Meta removed this time are just the beginning. Digital Pinoys said this is “an ongoing process” and urged the platform to continue processing the remaining pages it flagged in the coming days.

“This is the preliminary list of influencers promoting illegal online gambling that Digital Pinoys recommended to CICC for removal. We are still reviewing and verifying whether the platforms promoted by these influencers have legal licenses ,” Digital Pinoys said in the comments section of its post.

" If you see someone promoting illegal online gambling, please report it to us ," the organization urged.

The CICC also reiterated that those who violate the law on illegal gambling promotion will face legal consequences. The agency said social media influencers must be responsible for their actions, especially when they use their influence to encourage illegal or harmful activities.

PAGCOR bans outdoor gambling ads

Meanwhile, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has ordered operators to remove all gambling-related promotional content appearing on public transportation and billboards by August 15.

The directive covers promotional materials on public transportation such as buses, jeepneys, taxis, trains, etc., responding to public concerns about the high visibility of gambling advertisements in public places. PAGCOR’s move is part of a broader effort to strengthen the regulation of gambling advertisements, especially those that are not covered by existing licenses.

The Philippine Congress has proposed several bills to further regulate or even ban online gambling . PAGCOR and some licensed operators oppose a total ban and advocate a stricter regulatory mechanism.

Senators again call for gambling ban

Senator Joel Villanueva welcomed the removal of the Facebook page, calling it an important step in his push for tougher measures against online gambling. Villanueva is the sponsor of the Anti-Online Gambling Act, which was first introduced in the 19th Congress as Senate Bill No. 1281 and later reintroduced in the 20th Congress as Senate Bill No. 47.

He said the removal of the influencer's page showed that the campaign against online gambling had gained momentum and was an important step in curbing an activity that exacerbates poverty and destroys families.