EDITORIAL - From meron to wala (Latest Sabong News)
As of yesterday, online cockfighting or e-sabong operations have become illegal. This after President Rodrigo Duterte said he is putting an end to e-sabong operations following the recommendation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
The president said he was also taking into consideration the social impact e-sabong operations were having on Philippine society.
It is good that the president has seen the light, because not too long ago he said he was letting online betting on cockfights go on because they contributed so much to the government’s coffers and that we badly needed the money.
If he only did it because the DILG recommended it, then allow us to say what might have never crossed his mind; no amount of money in the government’s coffers can make up for irreparable damage gambling can cause to families, friendships, and communities --the threads that make up the fabric of Philippine society.
In a previous editorial we cited the disadvantages of making something so enticing and addictive as easy money readily available to so many so easily. While not against cockfighting per se we are against making it very easy to access by everyone and making it available 24/7, even to minors who only need a device that goes online.
For some people gambling isn’t just a passion, it has become an addiction. They see it as the only way to make money and they always have the urge to take a risk, then a bigger one. Either that or take another risk if the first one didn’t pay off.
Eventually a gambling habit has the tendency to become expensive and out of control, and that is particularly disadvantageous to those of us who don’t earn as much as the rest of society, but are easily drawn into games of chance. Those who want to gamble more usually have to borrow more to gamble, and this does not bode well for his family, friends, and neighbors.
Let cockfighting be confined to its old venues. At least that may put off some people from going so far to gamble their hard-earned money. At least in such places minors are not allowed.
With any luck, this outlawing of e-sabong didn’t come too late for some families, friends, and communities out there.
