Pro-administration members in the House of Representatives oppose the revival of online cockfighting, or “e-sabong,” to offset income losses from the ban on Philippine overseas gaming operations (Pogos).
Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., and Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop highlighted the same issues of disappearances, abuses, and corruption associated with both Pogos and e-sabong.
Although e-sabong resumed operations in April 2021, it was banned by former President Rodrigo Duterte in May 2022 due to the disappearance of 30 cockfighters.
OFW party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino suggested legalizing e-sabong to recover Pogo ban losses, but Pagcor Chair Alejandro Tengco stated that despite studying the possibility, an enabling law or order from the President is necessary for its revival.
Tengco also noted that Pagcor still generated significant revenue without e-sabong, with P79.37 billion reported in 2023.
Source : PhilNews24 | August 8, 2024
