MANILA — The Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo, has ordered the issuance of a show-cause order against Meta-Facebook Philippines after its representatives skipped Tuesday’s continuation of the chamber’s inquiry into online gambling.

In a letter to Tulfo, Meta’s country representative Genixon David said their “experts” were unavailable to attend the hearing and instead proposed a private meeting with the senator at a mutually convenient time.

The excuse did not sit well with Tulfo, who stressed the urgency of the matter following reports that illegal online betting operations have shifted from e-wallet platforms to social media sites like Facebook.

“No. Why are they dictating this committee kung kelan sila a-attend? Kung kailangan i-subpoena sila, i-subpoena ‘yung country representative nila. That’s not an excuse na in their own time,” Tulfo said in frustration.

The senator pointed out that Meta’s platforms are now being used to circulate gambling links, making their participation in the inquiry critical.

“Inalis na nga natin dito sa mga e-wallets, doon na napunta sa kanila. And then may mga links sila doon na pwede ka magsugal and then they don’t want to attend?” he added.

Senator Risa Hontiveros backed Tulfo and formally moved for the issuance of a show-cause order compelling Meta to explain its absence and why it should not face a subpoena.

“This is a hearing. We have a problem here and this is a national problem. Hindi po ito problem lang sa Metro Manila. Imagine, there’s like 65% of Filipinos who are hooked in online gambling and that’s what we’re trying to find a solution right now,” Tulfo said.

During the hearing, Digital Pinoys campaigner Ronald Gustilo testified that backup links to illegal gambling sites are being circulated through Facebook groups and encrypted messaging apps like Telegram and Signal.

Tulfo ended the hearing with sharper words for Meta:

“Inimbitahan ko ‘yung Meta, ayaw sumipot dito. Ito ang pinaka-kolokoy yata sa lahat tapos ayaw pa sumipot dito. Kita mo nagmamatigas at gusto niya at his own terms. Kailangan kausapin siya mag-isa.”