Actress and content creator Ivana Alawi broke her silence on the controversy surrounding an online gambling promotion, but instead of directly addressing the issue, she highlighted her efforts to help flood victims and called for accountability over the billions of pesos allocated for flood control projects.
In a social media post, Alawi said she was focused on repacking relief goods for flood victims while urging authorities and the public not to lose sight of the country’s flooding crisis and the funds intended for flood control projects.
“Busy lang mag repack ng relief goods,” Alawi said.
She also questioned the status of the country’s flood control efforts and called for accountability over the funds allocated for such projects.
“Kayo po, kamusta na kaya ang flood control? Ang bilyon bilyong pondo? Habang may Pilipinong lumulubog sa baha,” she said.
“Sorry, hindi kami makakalimot,” she added.
Alawi also warned against allowing other controversies to overshadow what she described as more important issues.
“Wag tayo gumawa ng ibang issue para matakpan ang mga pinaka importanteng issue,” she said, calling for concrete action and solutions to the flooding problem.
“Dapat may MANGYARI. Dapat may SOLUSYON,” she added.
Alawi faced criticism online in July after announcing a giveaway of 100 iPhone 17 units. Some netizens accused the campaign of promoting online gambling.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) on Monday, Aug. 24, fined an online gambling company linked to Alawi’s ₱1 million over the cellphone giveaway and ordered it to stop the promotion, Pagcor Chairperson Alejandro Tengco said.
The issue also surfaced during the House of Representatives committee on appropriations’ hearing on Pagcor’s proposed 2027 budget, where Kamanggagawa party-list Rep. Elijah Fernando raised concerns over the growing number of content creators and influencers promoting online gambling.
Alawi’s latest statement did not directly address the details of the Pagcor sanction but instead focused on the flooding crisis and the need for accountability over flood control projects.
Her remarks came as calls continued for authorities to address the country’s recurring flooding and examine the use of public funds intended for flood control.
