MANILA, Philippines—President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is exploring possible measures to address the growing issue of online gambling addiction, expressing sympathy for families affected by the problem.

During a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Marcos administration has intensified its campaign against illegal gambling and related fraud. She cited the recent arrest of four Korean nationals by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for involvement in illegal online gambling.

“Ang Pangulo po ay nakikisimpatiya sa mga pamilya na nabibiktima ng ganitong klaseng gambling dahil po iyong iba nilang kasama sa bahay ay nagiging gumon sa pagsusugal,” Castro said.

Castro added that the President is reviewing the Department of Finance’s (DOF) proposal to increase taxes on online gambling platforms.

“Iyan po ay tinitingnan din po ng Pangulo para mas maganda po ang maging polisiya pagdating po sa online gambling,” she said.

The administration is also studying the possibility of regulating social media influencers who promote online gambling.

“So, pag-aaralan po lahat iyan at mabigyan ng tamang direksiyon at judgment on that matter,” Castro said.