Rep. Eli San Fernando, may bagong banat sa online sugal matapos ang issue ni Ivana
- Rep. Eli San Fernando revisited his criticism of online gᾰmbling promotions
- He said the issue extends beyond Ivana Alawi and named other celebrities
- The congressman argued that gᾰmbling advertisements can influence young viewers
- He also claimed that powerful political figures may be connected to the industry
MAKI-TINGIN KA NAMAN: Pwede ka nang mag-comment sa mga artikulo ng KAMI! Subukan mo, madali lang!
Rep. Eli San Fernando of the Kamanggagawa Partylist renewed his criticism of online gᾰmbling promotions, saying the controversy should not focus solely on actress Ivana Alawi.
Source: Facebook
In a Facebook post, San Fernando recalled that he and his colleagues were among those who pushed for an investigation into online gᾰmbling in 2025. He emphasized that the concern, in his view, involves several public figures who have promoted or been associated with gᾰmbling-related campaigns.
“Kakapanalo pa lang natin noong 2025 isa tayo sa PINAKAUNANG NAGPAPAIMBESTIGA sa online sugal na yan. At di lang si Ivana yan. Kasama dyan si Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre, Alden Richards, Vic Sotto. Bakit di umuusad? Kasi may malalaking pulitiko rin sa likod niyan at alam niyo naman na yon.”
San Fernando’s remarks came after the recent controversy involving Alawi and an online gᾰmbling-related promotional campaign connected to her 100-iPhone giveaway. His latest post also included photos of a House legislative filing from 2025 concerning gᾰmbling.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!
The congressman acknowledged that choosing to gamble is partly an individual decision but argued that the wider social impact of gᾰmbling advertisements should also be considered.
“Tama, partly choice ng sugarol kung magsusugal siya. Pero may social dimension din yan. Kapag pati ang mga bata ay nakakapanood ng ads, lalo na kapag galing sa mga idol nila, ang mensahe natin ay oks lang mag sugal.”
He further warned that repeated exposure to gᾰmbling promotions could affect how young audiences perceive the activity, particularly when advertisements are associated with celebrities they admire.
“YAN ANG UNTI-UNTING WAWASAK sa moral fabric ng lipunan natin.”
San Fernando then called on the public to take responsibility for speaking against what he described as aggressive promotion of online gᾰmbling.
“Kaya ang pag call-out sa WALANG HABAS at walang kapararakang PAG PROMOTE ng online sugal ay responsibilidad nating lahat.”
Toward the end of his post, the congressman directly addressed what he described as a politician allegedly connected to the issue before turning back to Alawi.
“Kaya dyan sa PULITIKONG nasa likod, wag ka na umiyak. Tahan na. Bati na rin tayo Ivana, yun e kung di ka na mag-eendorso ng sugal 😂”
His post consequently broadened the ongoing discussion from Alawi’s controversy to the larger debate surrounding celebrity endorsements, gᾰmbling advertisements, young audiences, and alleged political connections to the online gᾰmbling industry.
Eli San Fernando is a Filipino labor leader, political content creator, and politician serving as the representative for the Kamanggagawa party-list in the Philippine House of Representatives. A former Student Regent at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, he gained widespread prominence through his digital activism advocating for workers' rights and the national equalization of minimum wages.
In another report, Rep. Eli San Fernando clarified that his comments during a House hearing were aimed at the promotion of online gἀmbling rather than Ivana Alawi personally. The lawmaker used Ivana’s 100-iPhone 17 giveaway as an example while calling for stricter oversight of social media influencers involved in gἀmbling promotions. His remarks came as PAGCOR confirmed that the gaming company behind the campaign had been fined ₱1 million and ordered to stop the unauthorized promotion.
Meanwhile, Ivana Alawi spoke about the flooding affecting many Filipinos while the controversy surrounding her cellphone giveaway continued to draw attention. She said she had been helping repack relief goods for flood victims and raised questions about the country’s flood control efforts and the billions allocated for such projects. The issue involving her giveaway also led to regulatory action, with PAGCOR imposing a ₱1-million fine on the gaming company involved and ordering the promotion stopped.
Bagong feature: Tingnan ang mga balitang para sa'yo ➡️ hanapin ang "Recommended for you" block at mag-enjoy!
Source: KAMI.com.gh
