A COMPLAINT was filed with the Presidential Complaint Center on Friday against Health Secretary Brix Pujalte for allegedly gambling at major casinos.
The complaint, filed by a group of “concerned citizens,” claims that Pujalte was seen gambling at Okada Manila, and Solaire Resort and Casino, using the aliases “Louis Santos” and “Louiss Santos” to avoid public recognition.
The group said Pujalte has violated Presidential Decree 1869, which bans government officials and employees from patronizing casinos.
They also cited Section 4 of Republic Act (RA) 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular 06, Series of 2016, both of which prohibit government personnel from entering or gambling in gaming establishments.
The complaint stressed that the use of fake names violates the Anti-Alias Law, or the Commonwealth Act 142, as amended by RA 6085, and Article 178 of the Revised Penal Code, or the Use of Fictitious Name, as well as Know-Your-Customer rules under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) regulations.
The complainants urged Malacañang to direct the Anti-Red Tape Authority, the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, or the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate Pujalte.
They also urged authorities to secure CCTV footage, VIP player records and facial recognition logs from casino operators, place Pujalte under preventive suspension during the inquiry and ultimately remove him as acting health secretary.
Reacting to the complaint against Pujalte, health reform advocate Dr. Tony Leachon said Pujalte did not only violate the law but also betrayed public trust.
“When a Cabinet official entrusted with the nation’s health is accused of gambling in luxury casinos under false names, it is more than a personal lapse — it is a violation of law and a betrayal of public trust,” Leachon said in a statement.
He described Pujalte’s alleged action as “corrosive to the moral fabric of governance.”
At a time when the public health system is struggling, indulging in casinos is a form of mockery to the people he serves, Leachon said.
“A Health Secretary must embody discipline, preventive health and integrity — not risk and deception,” he said.
The Manila Times sought comment from Pujalte but has yet to receive a response.
In a related development, Sen. Francis Escudero has filed a bill seeking a nationwide ban on gambling-related advertisements and celebrity endorsements, proposing tobacco-style restrictions aimed at curbing excessive and irresponsible gambling while protecting minors and other vulnerable sectors.
Senate Bill (SB) 2347 would prohibit gambling advertisements across television, radio, print, outdoor, online and social media platforms. It also seeks to ban celebrity and influencer endorsements of gambling products and services, while requiring responsible gambling advisories in authorized consumer communications.
“It’s about time that we regulate the gambling industry the same way we regulated tobacco two decades ago,” Escudero said, noting that both industries pose significant public welfare concerns when promotions become pervasive and target the youth.
The measure takes its cue from Republic Act 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, which clamped sweeping restrictions on tobacco advertising and banned celebrity endorsements and branded placements in entertainment content to reduce undue exposure among minors and non-adult smokers.
Escudero said the rapid expansion of online and digital gaming platforms has made gambling promotions increasingly pervasive, sophisticated and targeted, raising concerns over their social and public health impact.
While acknowledging the industry’s contributions to government revenues, employment and tourism, he warned that the growing visibility of gambling-related services presents “significant public mental and physical well-being and socioeconomic concerns,” particularly in encouraging excessive, compulsive and irresponsible gambling behavior.
He cited the Philippine gambling industry’s record-breaking growth, which generated P396.13 billion in gross gaming revenues in 2025, as among the reasons for strengthening regulatory safeguards.
The bill also seeks to institutionalize recent self-regulatory efforts by the advertising industry. Escudero pointed to the voluntary circular issued by the Ad Standards Council prohibiting gambling imagery and paraphernalia across media platforms among its members.
To ensure an orderly implementation, SB 2347 provides a one-year transition period upon its enactment to allow gambling operators and advertisers to phase out existing promotional materials and align their operations with the new rules.
Violators would face escalating penalties. A first offense carries a fine of up to P200,000 or imprisonment of up to one year; a second offense, up to P300,000 or two years imprisonment; and a third offense, up to P500,000 or three years imprisonment, along with the revocation of business permits or licenses. Corporate officers found liable would face corresponding sanctions, while foreign nationals may be deported.
