SEN. Francis Tolentino on Monday assailed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) for allegedly allowing "e-sabong" (online cockfighting) to operate even during the Holy Week."There was a gross violation of our faith. I don't know why it was done," Tolentino said during the fourth public hearing on the rising number of missing persons involved in online and traditional cockfighting.He said that he was able to catch a game of e-sabong on Good Friday, contrary to Pagcor's claim that it was regulating the online gambling game."There should be a semblance of respect for our traditions. I ask Pagcor why this happened. I took note of the fact that all Pagcor casinos were closed, out of respect for the Good Friday commemoration," Tolentino said.Reports reaching Tolentino's office bared that it was business as usual for e-sabong operator Pitmasters Live of gambling tycoon Charlie "Atong" Ang on April 15 while other commercial establishments opted to close out of respect for Good Friday.Sen. Ronald "Bato" de la Rosa, chairman of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, wrapped up the Senate probe on e-sabong as he vowed that his committee will "tie up all loose ends" in its inquiry on the rising number of missing persons allegedly involved in online cockfighting.He said the recommended actions will be based on the information gathered from the hearings including documents submitted to the panel."Our intent is that with the implementation of our recommendations, we could prevent the repeat of these untoward incidents and with the help of our national police and the Department of Justice, we would be able to have those involved in the crime accountable and give justice to the victims and their families," de la Rosa said.De la Rosa agreed with Tolentino. He said that such acts made by the e-sabong operators and the negligence on the part of Pagcor "was tantamount to sacrilege of religious traditions." Meanwhile, Tolentino admitted that it will take more weeks or months to craft legislation for the 19th Congress on regulating gambling, such as e-sabong, that will reflect not only the needs of the times but even the deeply-rooted character as a Christian nation.
