Despite missing 34, Senate (Sabong News)
Author
Butch Fernandez
Date
APRIL 04 2022
SENATE probers are poised to wind up the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs inquiry into the operations of online cockfighting (e-sabong) in connection with the reported disappearance of 34 cockfighting workers and players.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, committee chairman, said the fourth and last hearing will be held April 18 right after their Holy Week recess.
The probe chairman indicated that Senate probers are not keen on still extending their inquiry after having obtained in their previous hearings what he deems
substantial information to render a report with recommended actions to be taken related to the missing cockfight aficionados.
Dela Rosa indicated the panel report will also include crafting legislation needed to regulate e-sabong.
On the case of the “missing”—believed to be abducted—sabungeros, dela Rosa said they would rather leave the matter to the law enforcement agencies, referring to the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, however, had said earlier that the Senate is not inclined to let the matter rest until it sees a satisfactory resolution of the mass abduction cases.
On crafting remedial legislation, Dela Rosa indicated the committee report would likely include recommendations on whether to enact a law regulating or banning e-sabong, as many quarters have suggested.
While acknowledging the social costs of e-sabong, especially gambling addiction and the apparent crimes committee like abductions, the Executive has stood pat on its decision to allow e-sabong to continue because, as President Duterte put it, the government is bankrupt and needs the billions in revenue.
