FILE

Gambling has long been embedded in Philippine culture.

A glance at our history reveals that as early as the 16th century, gambling—introduced to us by the Chinese—had already woven itself into daily life.

During Spanish colonization, it solidified its presence, particularly with the rise of cockfighting (sabong).

Over time, various other forms of gambling emerged, many of which contributed to the erosion of our nation’s moral fabric—a struggle we still contend with today.

While some gambling activities were legalized over the years, with the government profiting from them to fund social programs, others have remained in the shadows.

These illicit forms of gambling fueled crime and bred corruption within government circles, often controlled by mafia-like syndicates.

However, the story of the average gambler pales in comparison to the high-stakes gambling of today’s politicians.

These individuals no longer need to step into a casino or cockfighting arena to place their bets.

Instead, they gamble with something far more valuable—our lives and welfare.

Public funds have become their war chests.

Politicians spend the people’s money at their discretion, often prioritizing projects based on whims and political motivations rather than genuine need.

Aid and assistance, meant to serve the people, are instead handed out as political tools of loyalty, not necessity.

For many, “ayudas” (aid) have become little more than instruments to secure votes.

These politicians gamble with public money, hoping their “wager” will ensure their re-election or place a relative in another position of power.

Unlike regular gamblers, they have the ability to influence the odds in their favor, stacking the deck so that the stakes always work to their advantage.

What makes this form of gambling even more dangerous is that politicians risk not only their own futures, but also the well-being of their constituents.

Their decisions, driven by personal gain, undermine the public’s interests and impact the entire nation.

These actions go beyond the recklessness of typical gamblers; they manipulate the very system that should be protecting our future.

The most degenerate gamblers are those who bet with public funds—not their own—to secure their grip on power.

Politicians spend vast amounts of taxpayer money during elections to maintain their positions and further their political ambitions, all at the expense of the very people they are meant to serve.

In Philippine politics, the gambling season comes every three years, when the stakes are highest.

Politicians know no rules and rarely lose. Even if they don’t get re-elected—which, under the current political system, is a rare occurrence—the money they wager during elections is never theirs to lose. It’s ours, the taxpayers’.

There’s an old saying among gamblers: “The house always wins.” In Philippine politics, the “house” is the political elite and dynasties, who, like the best gamblers, always manage to come out on top.

What we are today as a nation—and what we will become—are the daily stakes politicians take, not to protect our interests, but to satisfy their own.

In truth, today’s politicians are the worst kind of gamblers.

They are willing to risk everything—our future, our safety, and our well-being—all for the sake of political survival.

Their stakes are not just their own—they are ours.

And that makes their form of gambling far more immoral and dangerous than any game played in any gambling house.

Roseten Tugaff

Roseten “Tenten” Tugaff is an experienced journalist with a rich background in reporting. He began his career in the mid-’90s, working with the now-defunct Manila Chronicle and The Manila Times shortly after graduating from college. Throughout his career, he has also held various roles in government. Currently, he is a freelance media relations practitioner and hosts his own online political podcast.