Sotto: 'It seems like Pagcor does not want to suspend e-sabong' (Sabong News)
Author
Angelica Y. Yang
Date
MARCH 10 2022
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said Thursday thate-sabong regulator, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has the power to put the industry on hold as the Senate continues its hearings on the disappearances of 31 individuals linked to e-sabong activities.
He said this a day after Malacañangallowed e-sabong operations to continue, contrary to what the Senate hoped for in its resolution to suspend e-sabong operations until the cases of the missing individuals are resolved.
"I am disappointed because Pagcor even raised the issue to the president...Based on its charter, Pagcor can suspend the licenses or operations of e-sabong operators on its own. The mere fact that it brought up the matter to the president indicates that Pagcor does not want to suspend e-sabong," Sotto said in a statement shared with reporters.
According to him, it is "obvious that Pagcor is going soft on e-sabong industry because the business rakes in an estimated P640 million a month for agency’s earnings."
Sotto earlier proposed to draft a Senate resolution uring the Pagcor to suspend the licenses of seven e-sabong operators, which garnered the signatures of 23 lawmakers, including him.
“The disappointment of the Senate cannot be compared to the disappointment of the families affected," he said.
Sotto is running for vice president in this year's elections. He is running alongside fellow Sen.Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, who is vying for the presidency.
Lacson agreed with Sotto that Pagcor does not have to wait for the Palace's approval to suspend.
"If they have the power to issue licenses, they have the power to suspend," he said in a recent press conference in Pasig City.
On Wednesday, the Palace ordered the Pagcor to check on e-sabong operators' compliance with the security requirements and other commitments in their existing agreements.
Malacañangalso ordered Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the disappearances, and submit its findings within thirty days.
The earliest reported disappearance of the cockfighting aficionadoes took place on April 28, 2021. The latest one, where six people were allegedly kidnapped, happened on Jan. 13, 2022.
E-sabong, which involves remote wagering of cockfights, is regulated by the Pagcor. Meanwhile, local government units are in charge of live cockfighting events.
