Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, clarified that she has not recommended banning any online games, including the sandbox game *
“Gorebox”, amid the circulation of social media posts alleging such a proposal.
In a Facebook post, Hontiveros said the claims were false and reiterated that the Senate Committee on Women has not yet issued any recommendations or findings, as a hearing on the matter was scheduled for July 1.
“The Senate Committee on Women has not yet made any recommendations or findings because the hearing is scheduled for tomorrow, July 1,” she said.
Hontiveros emphasized that the committee’s inquiry into online environments and youth safety is still in its early stages, and any circulating conclusions are premature. She noted that the spread of information online had preempted the formal investigative process.
“There’s no recommendation yet, or findings from the Senate Committee on Women because we are still to hold the hearing,” she said.
The senator also cited concerns raised in initial reports about possible risks associated with online interactions. She referred to cases discussed in earlier hearings, including those involving other gaming platforms, where individuals allegedly established contact with minors.
“And then apparently they lure them out of the gaming platform and on to other spaces like Messenger, as in the case of the earlier Roblox hearing. It is there where they groom the child to commit violence,” she added.
Hontiveros expressed interest in hearing from stakeholders within the gaming industry, including developers. She noted that the developer of Gorebox, Felix Felip, had been invited to participate in the inquiry but declined.
“So, I would have wanted the Gorebox developer to be there,” she said.
The senator also pointed to concerns cited by authorities regarding the potential influence of so-called “nihilistic violent extremism” (NVE). According to her, initial information suggests that certain individuals may attempt to connect with young users through online gaming platforms.
The Senate inquiry aims to gather information from various sectors, including government agencies, law enforcement, and industry representatives, as part of a broader effort to examine factors related to youth safety in digital spaces.
– Lee Benedict Amion
