The Senate has called on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to first stop e-sabong operations in the country.
Twenty-three senators signed Senate Resolution 996, calling on Pagcor first to suspend the operation of e-sabong and halt its operation. At the same time, the case of the 31 missing sabungeros has not been resolved.
Seven e-soap operators were affected by the Senate resolution. These are as follows:
- 7 Belvedere Vista Corporation
- Lucky 8 Star Quest, Inc.
- Visayas Cockers Club
- Jade Entertainment and Gaming Technologies
- Newin Cockers Alliance Gaming Corporation
- Philippine Cockfighting International, Inc.
- Golden Buzzer
Except for Senator Leila de Lima, who is currently detained at Camp Crame, 23 other senators signed the resolution.
Senate Public Order Committee Chairman Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa had earlier said that President Rodrigo Duterte agreed to the Senate’s call to suspend the e-sabong operation.
But as of Tuesday, the president has not signed an order.
The Senate will resume the hearing on Friday, March 4. Dela Rosa is also consulting with Senate President Vicente Sotto III on whether they can hold a face-to-face hearing for it.
Senate calls on Pagcor to suspend e-sabong operations
Meanwhile, apart from summoning businessman Atong Ang, the owner of 3 arenas where the alleged abduction of 31 missing sabungero took place, Dela Rosa said that the witnesses they obtained would also appear before the committee.
The managers and security guards of the cockpit arenas on duty when the incident occurred will also be summoned at the hearing.
Meanwhile, Malacañang announced on Tuesday that President Rodrigo Duterte has not yet issued an order to stop the operation of electronic/online sabong (e-sabong).
Presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles made the statement a day after Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Duterte allegedly agreed to suspend the e-sabong operation following the disappearance of 31 sabungeros.
Sotto based his announcement on a conversation he had with Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a known ally of Duterte.
On Tuesday, November 2020, the House Committee on Ways and Means approved a bill aiming to impose new taxes on legal online sabong (cockfight) and other legally-operated electronic betting activities.
Joey Salceda, who also chairs the panel, authored House Bill 7919, which aims to make the industry of online sabong and other related games more transparent and accountable.
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