Manila, July 31 -- Senator Erwin Tulfo on Thursday called on financial technology firms to voluntarily remove access to online gambling from their digital platforms, framing it as a matter of corporate and social responsibility.

Tulfo, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, made the appeal ahead of the committee's scheduled hearings on proposals seeking a total ban on online gambling operations in the country.

"Companies shouldn't wait for legislation. You have a social responsibility, and we're already facing a crisis. The online gambling problem is a crisis," Tulfo said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.

He urged major players such as GCash and PayMaya to act immediately and show accountability.

"If your...