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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Third Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of 
the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Problem gambling is a growing public health concern. It is characterized by increasing 
preoccupation with and loss of control over gambling, restlessness and irritability when 
attempting to stop gambling, and the continued gambling despite serious negative consequences. 
Problem gamblers have high rates of co-occw'ing substance abuse and mental health 
disorders such as smoking, alcohol use and abuse, drug use and abuse, depression and suicidal 
behavior. A study by the National Research Council in 1999 found that 25-50% of the spouses of 
compulsive gamblers have been abused. Another survey of 144 spouses of compulsive gamblers 
found that 50% were physically and verbally abused by their spouse and 12% had attempted 
suicide (Bland, Newman, Om and Stebelski, 1993). Emergency room statistics also show that the 
odds ratio of intimate partner violence increased 10.5 times when the partner was a problem 
gambler (Muelleman, Denotter, Wadman Tran & Anderson, 2002). In Nebraska, a study found 
that problem gambling is as much a risk for domestic violence as alcohol abuse. 
This bill seeks to lessen the social impact of problem gambling by providing 
counseling support and information dissemination on this condition and its treatment. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Third Regular Session 
I 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT PROVIDING 
A NATIONAL PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE AFFLICTED 
WITH COMPULSIVE GAMBLING DISORDER 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the PhilQpines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Comprehensive Problem 
Gambling Act of 2009.” 
SECTION. 2. Raising Public Awareness. - The Secretary of Health shall carry out a 
national campaign to increase knowledge and raise awareness with respect to problem gambling 
issues within the general public, including supporting and augmenting existing national 
campaigns and the production and placement of public service announcements. 
SECTION 3. Research. - The Secretary shall establish and implement a national 
prograin of research on problem gambling. 
SECTION 4. Treatment. - The evaluation and treatment of persons who have had their 
lives significantly impacted by compulsive gambling disorder shall be carried out by counselors 
whose services shall be available at all health centers. 
SECTION 5 .  Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary shall issue the 
implementing rules and regulations for this Act and shall submit a report to Congress within two 
(2) years from the passage of this law. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any portion or provision of this 
Act shall be declared unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
SECTION 8. Efectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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