The Philippine government has taken a further step in enforcing long-standing restrictions on public officials entering gaming venues, as the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) formalized a new agreement to strengthen compliance.

Under a memorandum of agreement signed on March 30, DOJ personnel will be added to PAGCOR’s National Database of Restricted Persons (NDRP), a system used to prevent individuals barred by law from accessing casinos. The move introduces a more coordinated approach to monitoring government employees, who are already prohibited from gambling under Presidential Decree 1869.

Data Sharing Expands Enforcement Scope

The agreement allows the DOJ and its attached agencies to provide PAGCOR with key personnel data, including names, job titles, and photographs. This information will be used alongside PAGCOR’s existing facial recognition systems to identify restricted individuals attempting to enter licensed gaming venues.

Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida emphasized the importance of enforcement and institutional accountability. As reported by Philippine News Agency, he stated, “the presence of government officials and employees in gaming establishments, in violation of existing laws and regulations, undermines the ethical standards we are sworn to uphold.”

He also addressed the operational impact of the agreement, adding: “This data-sharing initiative is both timely and necessary. By enabling a more efficient and accurate identification system, we strengthen enforcement mechanisms and ensure that policies are not only written but meaningfully implemented. It allows PAGCOR to better regulate access to gaming revenues and empowers the DOJ to reinforce discipline within its ranks.”

The DOJ oversees approximately 60,000 employees across its main offices and affiliated bodies. These include the National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Corrections, Office of the Solicitor General, Public Attorney’s Office, and several other agencies involved in legal and correctional functions.

Limited Coverage Prompts Broader Action

Despite the legal prohibition on government workers participating in gambling activities, PAGCOR’s current database remains incomplete. Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco noted that only around 600,000 names are listed in the NDRP, compared to roughly 4.5 million government officials and employees nationwide.

He confirmed that the DOJ is the first government institution to formally share a full roster of personnel for inclusion in the system. Tengco welcomed the move, stating, “Truly we are thankful for the fact that the Department of Justice has decided to step up and share the list of all its employees which we will in turn include in our national database for restricted persons or NDRP.”

The agreement also addresses ongoing concerns around data privacy, which have previously slowed efforts to expand the database. Tengco acknowledged these limitations but reiterated the regulator’s commitment to handling sensitive information responsibly. “We will make sure that this information will be kept properly and whatever names included there are protected,” he said.

At the same time, he indicated that additional government departments have expressed interest in similar arrangements, including the Department of Public Works and Highways, suggesting that the initiative could expand beyond the DOJ in the near future.

Authorities continue to enforce strict consequences for violations. Officials who are found entering or gambling in casinos face dismissal from service, along with potential criminal, civil, and administrative charges.

Recent enforcement efforts have already produced measurable outcomes. PAGCOR reported that more than PHP310 million in winnings had been voided after identifying players who were not permitted to participate in casino activities due to their government status.

Justice Secretary Vida reinforced the broader principle behind the policy, stating, “We are here as public servants. We need not only to do good to act as role models. We follow the rule of law.”

With the DOJ now integrated into the restricted persons database, regulators expect improved monitoring and a stronger ability to detect violations. The agreement signals a shift toward more proactive enforcement, supported by centralized data and inter-agency cooperation.