Meta has removed the Facebook pages of at least 20 Filipino influencers found promoting illegal online gambling, following a joint request by the Philippine government’s Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and advocacy group Digital Pinoys. The move marks a significant step in the country’s broader effort to combat online gambling and its societal impact.
Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo hailed the action, calling it a strong signal that authorities are serious about holding violators accountable. High-profile influencers affected include Boy Tapang, Sachzna Laparan, Kuya Lex TV, and Mark Anthony Fernandez, whose combined follower count reaches millions. Gustilo warned that further takedowns are expected.
“This is just the beginning,” he said, adding that some influencers “gambled with the law” and are now facing consequences.
Senator Joel Villanueva praised the takedown as a “significant step” in advancing his proposed Anti-Online Gambling Act (Senate Bill No. 47), which seeks to impose a total ban on online gambling nationwide. Villanueva stressed the need for morality clauses in contracts of public figures to prevent the promotion of harmful activities.
The coordinated crackdown highlights the growing policy focus on protecting Filipino netizens from digital threats and regulating the influence of social media figures in online spaces.
