Duterte halts e-sabong
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to stop e-sabong or online cockfighting operations.
Duterte’s decision came following a survey conducted by the DILG in cities and provinces regarding e-sabong operations, which is being blamed for the deterioration of moral values among many Filipinos.
“And the recommendation of [DILG] Secretary [Eduardo] Año is to do away with e-sabong and he cited the validation report coming from all sources,” Duterte said during his prerecorded Talk to the People aired yesterday.
“So it’s his recommendation and I agree with it and it is good.
So e-sabong will end by tonight. Bukas. Lalabas ito bukas,” he added.
Duterte said he is leaving it to Año to order when the operations should be stopped.
“I leave it to Secretary Año kung kailan niya... it might be tomorrow or, at least, tomorrow night or tomorrow afternoon. Kapag na ano na ‘yan, because it is immediate. Immediately,” he said.
There are seven accredited e-sabong operators in the country.
E-sabong operations hit the headlines recently following the disappearance dozens of persons involved in the industry. Its continued operations even during the Holy Week was also questioned.
The President’s decision was a turnaround from his statement last month wherein he defended its operations, noting the revenues it generates.
Government revenue from e-sabong hit P2 billion this year alone, according to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).
Duterte, however, had said that he may suspend e-sabong if its ill effects on the public are proven.
Duterte yesterday said the message is “loud and very clear” that e-sabong is “working against our values.”
“Ang labas hindi na natutulog yung sabungero, 24 hours,” he said.
Sought for comment, PAGCOR chairperson Andrea Domingo said the regulator “has to implement the President’s decision to stop e-sabong operations immediately.”
“The Executive Secretary will issue a formal memorandum to this effect and we will serve the appropriate notice to the PAGCOR regulated e-sabong operators,” Domingo told GMA News Online.
“We will also inform the COA (Commission on
Audit) Auditor officially that starting today, there will no longer be revenues collected from e-sabong operations.”
Domingo earlier proposed to have a separate agency that would regulate e-sabong operations.