PNP laments Court of Appeals ruling on online gambling

Maybe, it’s about time we question the constitutionality of the Anti-Gambling law itself. Since this is clearly not an issue of “morals” because we hold it to be legal if it’s regulated by the government, this is more about preserving the government’s monopoly on “gambling” and not about public morals. The antiquated law can be challenged for violating the principles of liberty in the constitution, or in violation of free artistic and intellectual expression [since some people are interested in studying the dynamics of chance and probabilities], or in violatation of one’s privacy of communication and correspondence [if the game is being played privately in the privacy of one's home using one's unique I.P. address, as a net connection is technically a correspondence between two or more servers].

What we fail to realize is that the constitution was created as a means to give people personal freedoms, and as long as your exercise of freedom does not encroach upon another’s, then it should be considered lawful. By gambling, each party voluntarily submits their wealth to a game of chance (yes, I know there is skill involved). The key word is “voluntarily”. If you want to gamble, and your neighbor or partner wants to gamble, why should any part of the government have a say?

We have so many laws that violate the spirit of our constitution and favor only certain interests while the country continues to descend into poverty, squalor, crime and ineptitude. We better question each, review their past effects on society and if possible repeal or revise most, relative to the constitution and relative to what would make life better or progressive for everyone.

Just block the IPs at the Gateways.

Panahon pa pala ng diktador ang batas, syempre wala pa internet noon. Ang bobski naman na judge.

Pero kung gusto talaga ipatigil ang sugal, nandoon sa batas ang ipinagbabawal. Nandoon sa batas ang “and other card games.” Kahit nasa screen lang ang mga baraha, card game pa rin iyon:

“(a) The penalty of prison correccional in its medium period of a fine ranging from one thousand to six thousand pesos, and in case of recidivism, the penalty of prision mayor in its medium period or a fine ranging from five thousand to ten thousand pesos shall be
imposed upon:”

“1. Any person other than those referred to in the succeeding sub-sections who in any manner, shall directly or indirectly take part in any illegal or unauthorized activities or games of…black jack, lucky nine, poker and its derivatives, monte, baccarat, cuajao, pangguingue AND OTHER CARD GAMES…”