CSC tightens gambling ban for govt workers

CSC Cracks Down New Rules Ban Government Employees from Engaging in All 
Forms of Gambling

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has issued a new policy that prohibits g
government officials and employees from engaging in all forms of gambling. 
This move aims to promote a culture of integrity, transparency, and account
accountability within the government.

A Culture of Integrity

CSC Chairman Marilyn Barua-Yap announced on Sunday that the agency approved
approved a resolution prohibiting gambling among government officials and e
employees. This new measure is designed to ensure that public servants are 
not compromised by their personal financial decisions or interests.

Who is Affected?

The policy applies to all officials and employees of the national governmen
government, local government units, autonomous regional governments, state 
and local universities and colleges, and government-owned or -controlled co
corporations with original charters. In other words, anyone who works in th
the public sector is bound by this rule.

Rationale Behind the Policy

Involvement in gambling may expose public servants to financial vulnerabil
vulnerability and conflicts of interest, which can undermine impartiality a
and erode public trust, Barua-Yap said. The CSC wants to ensure that gover
government officials are not compromised by their personal financial decisi
decisions or interests.

What is Prohibited?

Under the new policy, gambling refers to any game played for money or value
value in which the outcome depends wholly or chiefly on chance, or the use 
of any mechanical device or contrivance to determine by chance the winner o
or loser of money. This includes

Entering, staying in, or participating in gambling activities in casinos,
casinos, gambling houses, or similar establishments – whether land-based or
or sea-based – within or outside the Philippines.
Engaging in online or electronic gambling, including online casinos, e-bi
e-bingo, e-sabong, and internet-based betting using any device.
Promoting or facilitating these activities is also prohibited.

Exceptions to the Rule

Activities conducted exclusively for charitable, civic, or public welfare p
purposes – as well as games not prohibited by law – remain allowed, as long
long as participation does not create any appearance of impropriety or conf
conflict of interest.

Consequences for Violators

Violations may be reported through the CSC Contact Center ng Bayan or other
other complaint referral systems. Anonymous reports will be processed in ac
accordance with existing rules.

The consequences for violators are as follows

First offense reprimand
Second offense suspension
Third offense dismissal from the service

Conclusion

The new policy is anchored on the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for
for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act 6713), the Administrative 
Code of 1987 (Executive Order 292), relevant jurisprudence, and prior direc
directives prohibiting casino entry and related gambling activities. The CS
CSC wants to ensure that government officials are held to a high standard o
of integrity and transparency.

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Keywords Civil Service Commission, government officials, employees, gambli
gambling ban, policy, Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Offi
Officials and Employees, Republic Act 6713, Administrative Code of 1987, Ex
Executive Order 292.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.