Marcos lukewarm to tapping e-sabong for revenues – spokesman (Sabong News)
Author
Catherine S. Valente
Date
MAY 18 2022
PRESIDENT-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is not keen on tapping e-sabong or online cockfighting for revenues and is even willing to let go "if it will compromise the value of [the] Filipino family," his spokesman said.
Victor Rodriguez made the statement after Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said the government needed to raise P326 billion in fresh revenues yearly to trim the country's ballooning debt.
"So even if the potential revenue, not just for e-sabong but for any industry, is really enticing, if it will compromise the moral fiber of the youth, if it will compromise the value of Filipino family, president-elect Bongbong is more than willing to let go of that lucrative source of revenue," Rodriguez told reporters.
Rodriguez said the public will have to wait until Marcos assumes power to know how he plans to service this debt.
"As to how we're gonna raise it, I'm sure you understand that the present dispensation is still being led by President (Rodrigo) Duterte," Rodriguez said.
"So with all due respect and deference to the President, which we fully support, antayin na lang muna ninyo ang official assumption of president Bongbong as president. But for now, let's support the current administration led by President Duterte," he added.
Salceda, chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Ways and Means, had said the next administration will need to raise P326 billion annually to pay the debt incurred in responding to the health pandemic.
Otherwise, Salceda said the government will need to cut on social services or take new loans to pay the debt.
