Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILL No._ 6503

Introduced by Representative Manuel Luis T. Lopez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Resorts World-Manila Tragedy that claimed the life of 38 individuals
including the suspect, last June 2, 2017, was declared by authorities as not an act of terror
but one committed by an estranged person who is hooked to gambling. According to
official reports, the gunman, identified as Jessie Carlos, was heavily indebted due to his
ig addicted to gambling. According to CNN news, he had an outstanding debt of Four
Million Pesos and other non-bank related debt.

Prior to this incident, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued an Executive Order on
February 2, 2017 strengthening the fight against illegal gambling. This was in light of the
cases involving Jack Lam and his casino operations in Clark. High ranking officials from
the Bureau of Immigration were also dragged into the incident. Allegations of bribery and
corruption have been brought to the fore, however, no sanctions have been meted out or
even individuals made to face stiff penalties.

Thus, this bill seeks to address this problem by increasing the penalties for
government officials who participate or fail to prohibit the proliferation of illegal
gambling activities in their respective jurisdictions.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Miah T. LOPEZ

Representative
1 District, City of Manila


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILLNo.__6503

Introduced by Representative Manuel Luis T. Lopez

AN ACT
AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9287 ENTITLED “AN ACT
INCREASING THE PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL NUMBERS GAMES, AMENDING CERTAIN
PROVISIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1602, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES"
AND STRENGTHENING THE FINES AND PUNISHMENTS FOR VIOLATIONS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act 9287 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State
to promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure
the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the
people from poverty through policies that provide adequate
social services, promote full employment, a rising standard
of living, and an improved quality of life for all. It is likewise
the policy of the State that the promotion of social justice
shall include the commitment to create economic
opportunities based on freedom of initiative and self-
reliance.

Hence, the State hereby condemns the existence of illegal
gambling activities such as illegal numbers games as this
has become an influential factor in an individual's disregard
for the value of dignified work, perseverance and thrift since
instant monetary gains from it are being equated to success,
thereby becoming a widespread social menace and a source
of corruption.

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Towards this end, the State shall therefore adopt more

stringent measures to stop and eradicate the existence of

illegal GAMBLING ACTIVITIES in any part of the country.”

Sec. 3. Punishable Acts. - Any person who participates in
any illegal GAMBLING ACTIVITY shall suffer the following
penalties:

a) The penalty of imprisonment from thirty (30) days to
ninety (90) days, if such person acts as a bettor;

b) The penalty of imprisonment from six (6) years and one
(1) day to eight (8) years, if such person acts as a
personnel or staff of an illegal numbers game operation;

©) Thesame penalty shall likewise be imposed to any person
who allows his vehicle, house, building or land to be used
in the operation of the illegal numbers games.

d) The penalty of imprisonment from eight (8) years and
one (1) day to ten (10) years, if such person acts as a
collector or agent;

e

&

The penalty of imprisonment from ten (10) years and
one (1) day to twelve (12) years, if such person acts as a
coordinator, controller or supervisor;

) The penalty of imprisonment from twelve (12) years and
one (1) day to fourteen (14) years, if such person acts as
a maintainer, manager or operator; and

g) The penalty of imprisonment from fourteen (14) years
and one (1) day to sixteen (16) years, if such person acts
as a financier or capitalist;

h

The penalty of imprisonment from sixteen (16) years and
one (1) day to twenty (20) years, if such person acts as
protector or coddler;

Sec. 5, Liability of Government Employees and/or Public
Officials. - a) If the collector, agent, coordinator,
controller, supervisor, maintainer, manager, operator,

SEC. 2. Section 3 of Republic Act 9287 is hereby amended to read as follows:

SEC. 3. Section 5 of Republic Act 9287 is hereby amended to read as follows:

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financier or capitalist of any illegal GAMBLING
ACTIVITY is a government employee and/or public
official, whether elected or appointed shall SUFFER
THE PENALTY OF SIXTEEN (16) YEARS AND ONE (1)
DAY TO TWENTY (20) YEARS AND A FINE RANGING
FROM TEN MILLION PESOS (P10,000,000.00) TO
TWENTY MILLION PESOS (P20,000,000.00) and
perpetual absolute disqualification from public office.

ANY LOCAL GOVERNMENT/ BARANGAY OFFICIAL
WHO, FAILS TO ABATE, RESTRICT, OR WHO
TOLERATES THE OPERATION OF ANY ILLEGAL
GAMBLING ACTIVITY IN HIS/HER JURISDICTION
WITH OR WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE, SHALL BE
IMPOSED WITH AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF A
FINE RANGING FROM TWENTY MILLION PESOS
(P20,000,000.00) TO FIFTY MILLION PESOS
(P50,000,000.00) AND IMPRISONMENT OF TWENTY
(20) YEARS AND ONE (1) DAY TO FORTY (40) YEARS.

b) In the case of failure to apprehend perpetrators of
any illegal numbers game, any law enforcer shall suffer
an administrative penalty of suspension or dismissal, as
the case may be, to be imposed by the appropriate
authority.

SEC. 4. Section 5 of Republic Act 9287 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 6, Liability of Parents/Guardians. - The penalty of
imprisonment from SIX (6) YEARS AND ONE (1) DAY
TO TWELVE (12) YEARS AND A FINE RANGING FROM
TEN MILLION PESOS (P10,000,000.00) TO TWENTY
MILLION PESOS (P20,000,000.00) shall be imposed
upon any parent, guardian or person exercising moral
authority or ascendancy over a minor, ward or
incapacitated person, and not otherwise falling under
any of the foregoing subsections, who induces or causes
such minor, ward or incapacitated person to commit
any of the offenses punishable in this Act. Upon
conviction, the parent, guardian or person exercising
moral authority or ascendancy over the minor, ward or
incapacitated person shall be deprived of his/her
authority over such person in addition to the penalty
imposed.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, executive orders, administrative
orders, rules, regulations, decrees, and other issuances or parts thereof, which are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby revoked, repealed, or modified

accordingly.

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SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional
or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue in operation and
remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in a newspaper of general circulation or the Official Gazette.

Approved,

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