Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva has called on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to adopt more stringent measures aimed at curbing the misuse of online lending platforms, which he associates with a surge in cybercrime and the expansion of online gambling. Villanueva highlighted the necessity for BSP's regulations governing online lending apps, electronic wallets, and digital banking services to be closely coordinated with law enforcement agencies in order to effectively address the adverse effects of online gambling.

The senator further urged the government to implement a "total, unconditional ban" on all forms of online gambling within the country. He underscored the risks posed by the intersection of illegal online betting activities and predatory lending practices, warning that these combined pressures could drive many Filipinos into severe financial distress.

"The intertwining of unlawful online gambling and exploitative loan schemes from digital lending applications creates a dangerous financial trap for numerous citizens," Villanueva said. His appeal reflects growing concerns about the social and economic impact of unregulated digital financial services and gambling operations in the Philippines.