Senate to issue resolution urging Duterte to suspend e-sabong operations (Sabong News)
Author
Robie de Guzman
Date
FEBRUARY 25 2022
The Senate is set to issue a resolution calling on President Rodrigo Duterte to order the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to suspend the operation of online sabong (e-sabong) amid cases of sudden disappearances.
The upper chamber will issue the resolution through the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
The resolution was proposed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Panfilo Lacson during a hearing conducted by committee chairman Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on the case of the missing individuals allegedly linked to e-sabong.
The resolution to suspend e-sabong covers the licenses of the following firms:
In response to the resolution, PAGCOR’s acting senior vice president for e-sabong Diane Erica Jogno said they are open to suspending the licenses of the said firms, subject to the approval of the Office of the President.
Jogno attended the committee hearing conducted on Thursday, February 24.
PAGCOR regulates e-sabong operations but Jogno clarified that the agency issues license only for livestream broadcasting of cockfights in licensed cockpits, and remote betting.
Dela Rosa said their call for suspension only seeks to prevent the disappearance of more persons linked to e-sabong operations.
The upper chamber is also looking into the need to regulate e-sabong operations and whether it needs a legislative franchise.
“Para ito sa mga nawawalang kabataan at pwede pang mawawala,” he said.
“Alam ko maraming magagalit sa amin na sabungero kung mahinto itong e-sabong operation… But sana maintindihan n’yo na mas mahalaga ang buhay ng mga tao kaysa sa halaga ng pera na magiging losses ninyo kapag nahinto itong e-sabong. Wala pong katapat na value of money ang buhay ng tao,” he added.
Dela Rosa also called on the people behind the missing personalities to release the victims to their families.
“Doon sa mga suspect, sino ang gumawa, we just hope na kung buhay pa ‘yung mga kinidnap ninyo, itinago ninyo, sana i-release na ninyo para makabalik sa kanilang pamilya,” he said.
Dela Rosa also called on the Philippine National Police to double its effort to resolve the case.
He also urged the public or those who have information about the missing individuals to approach either the police or his committee to help in the speedy and complete resolution of the case.
