MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued a memorandum circular prohibiting all its personnel, officials of attached agencies, and local government unit employees from accessing or engaging in online gambling platforms.

The directive, outlined in Memorandum Circular No. 2025-082, comes amid reports of government officials participating in online gambling activities, which the department says undermine the integrity and credibility of the public service.

The circular references the Office of the President’s Memorandum Circular No. 06, series of 2016, which previously banned government employees from entering gambling casinos, stating that even mere presence in such establishments is considered conduct prejudicial to the service, unless related to official duties.

It cites legal bases including the 1987 Constitution, Republic Act No. 6713 on the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Presidential Decree No. 1869, and various presidential memorandums that uphold high standards of responsibility, integrity, and patriotism among public servants.

The policy covers all provincial, city, municipal, and barangay elected and appointed officials; DILG Central and Field Office personnel; and employees of DILG-attached agencies such as the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail and Management Penology, National Youth Commission, and others.

Under the policy guidelines, all covered officials and employees are strictly prohibited from accessing online gambling platforms or participating in any form of online gambling. Heads of agencies and bureaus are instructed to widely disseminate the memorandum to ensure compliance.

Violators of the memorandum shall face administrative and/or criminal liabilities in accordance with relevant laws, rules, and regulations. The memorandum takes effect immediately.

The DILG emphasized that online gambling activities pose a significant threat to ethical standards expected from public officials and employees, comparable to the risks previously identified with physical casino gambling.