MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Wednesday unveiled a sign warning government employees against arrest for gambling.
The ceremonial unveiling at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City is part of a nationwide campaign where police will put up signs to remind government employees and officials to stay out of casinos and other gambling places.
Dela Rosa kicked off the campaign after President Rodrigo Duterte announced stricter implementation of the ban, which, he stressed has never been repealed.
"I just issued an order to Bato last night. I said, Bato, put up a sign in casinos prohibiting all workers of government from entering," Duterte is quoted as saying in a report by state-run PTV News.
Presidential Decrees 1067-B and 1869, which create the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., prohibit government officials, members of the uniformed services, students and minors from playing in casinos.
Duterte said he told Dela Rosa to put "government employees" instead of "government officials" on the signs to stress that everyone in public service is an employee.
"We are all workers," he said.
The signs, which warn that government employees found in casinos will be arrested and charged, do not explain what the charges will be nor the basis for arrest.
Memorandum Circular No. 6, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea in 2016, reiterates the ban.
Citing the negative perception that seeing government employees in casinos would create, the circular states "the mere entry or presence of government officials and employees in a gambling casino shall be considered as conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, unless the same was in the performance of official duties and functions."
In September 2017, Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux Uson was in the headlines for performing at Resorts World Manila's Bar 360.
She has since been discouraged from performing in casinos.
"However, she is certainly free to continue to perform in other venues not restricted for government officials and personnel," Ernesto Abella, presidential spokesperson at the time, said then.