Using DILG’s name in vain (Latest Sabong News)
Author
Cito Beltran
Date
DECEMBER 10 2021
One of the lessons that the Bible teaches us is if you have an issue with someone, you must first go to that person and speak with him in order to settle the matter. I recently found myself at such a crossroad where I came across unsavory reports or claims that linked the DILG to a group collecting “Intelihencia” payments or protection money in exchange for the opening or hassle-free operations of traditional cockpits in the province of Batangas. One of two separate reports was furnished to me by an intelligence officer of a government agency who is a sabungero as well, while the other came from a long-time patron of cockpits who has close ties with owners and operators. In both cases, a group of men reportedly claiming to be with the DILG and CIDG made proposals to help two cockpit operators in getting their cockpit open for business or be spared from closure or harassment through “show cause orders” being sent to the office of the mayor concerned.
The men would offer use of their “betting machines” which turned out to be nothing more than a computer program or App that allow a person to enter amounts being bet, display these on an LED screen while issuing a printed copy to the bettor. In exchange for using the program, the cockpit owner has to give the “betting machine” owners 30 to 35 percent of daily collections as well as a goodwill gift of P1 million, allegedly to be paid to DILG officials, and a separate P1 million to the Chief PNP. In exchange, the cockpit owner is assured that they won’t be the subject of closure resulting from the mayor receiving a “show cause order” from one Undersecretary Epimaco Densing whose reputation was being sullied by the men with the betting machines.
I found both reports disturbing and their claims nothing short of taking the name of the DILG in vain, so I decided to bring up the matter directly with Usec. Densing so that he and his associates at DILG would know that a group was actively misrepresenting them and making millions of pesos along the side. It turns out that Usec. Densing was being disparaged and targeted because he had recently issued three show cause orders to three mayors, thereby sowing fear among mayors and cockpit operators.
Having done my civic duty of informing the undersecretary of the matter, we then discussed why the DILG and the IATF remained resistant to the idea of reopening traditional cockpits under Alert Level 2. Their concern remains largely on fears of spreading COVID-19, given the tendency of cockpits to draw crowds and generate lots of shouting face to face as Kristos or bet makers call out their bets and odds. While I respected his position, I pointed out to Usec. Densing that it would be difficult to win that argument given how the IATF, DOH and government has allowed thousands of kids into hundreds of malls, eateries and other establishments, all of whom are unvaccinated, while barring grown men who are fully vaccinated from entering open air cockpits with only 30 to 50 percent capacity allowed.
In fairness to the officials of the DILG, I discovered that they themselves have been arguing over the matter for several weeks and so far they seem to be at the point where resumption of traditional sabong could be allowed, where only fully vaccinated participants with Vaxx cards may enter, that they continue to wear face masks, socially distance inside the arena and only electronic betting is allowed.
I fully support the direction being taken by the DILG which will deliberate the matter with the IATFon Monday, Dec. 13but I warned Usec. Densing that under no circumstance should the DILG be hoodwinked or tricked by any group into giving approval to a specific machine, program or presentation because that could and will be used by enterprising con men to substantiate their claims that their betting machines are the units approved by the DILG or that those machines give protection from the DILG.
As far as the presentation to the IATF is concerned, I pointed out to Usec. Densing that the resumption of traditional sabong and cockpits is no longer a matter of saving livelihoods but a necessary move by government in order to save a P250-billion industry that intersects paths and purposes among several sectors such as animal feeds production, veterinary medicine and supplements, farm labor, property rentals, livestock, etc.
The continued closure of traditional cockpits, as this article has shown, has resulted in criminal activity where the DILG and the IATF have become the victims, being portrayed as corrupt, bribe-taking officials and being blamed for closures of cockpits and the misfortune of ordinary workers, while corrupt local officials collect “ayuda” from online operators as compensation for shutting down competition. Rather than trying to dam up “the river” so to speak, the DILG and the IATF should harness and direct traditional sabong and cockpits like any other business which they have also regulated, guided and ultimately allowed to operate in the interestof reviving our economy.
Stop treating sabong as some cheap form of gambling for the common man because it is neither cheap nor does it cater only to commoners. There are a handful of billionaire sabungeros, high ranking government officials, wealthy landlords as well as celebrities who see sabong as a sport, while there are thousands of full-time professionals who run hectares of game farms all over the country. Although they are often called farm hands or “boys,” they have various levels of expertise in livestock management, farm operations, disease management and actual management of entries and teams in cockfights that even foreign experts respect and admire.
Open up the traditional cockpits and let the enthusiasts show they can be as competent and responsible as any business or industry.
“Kung walang sabong, huwag iboto si mayor!”
