President Rodrigo Duterte has directed to stop the operations of the e-sabong effective evening of May 2, 2022, based on the recommendation of Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.
DILG 11 director Alex Roldan said a survey was conducted two weeks ago on the people’s impressions and feeling on e-sabong and based on the results of the survey it turned out that it causes social damage, particularly to children.
The government is collecting around P640 million in taxes monthly from e-sabong operations.
“Ang pinakadako na reklamo is sayang daw ang 640 million na revenue but based sa results sa among study/survey nigawas na mas dako ang social damage na nahitabo aside from the fact that e-sabong, puwedeng magpustahanay within or kung makita nila sa ilang laptop. Aside sa nagpusta sa GCash among themselves sa mga viewers and we are also exposing our children yan ang dakong problema, social effect sa mga bata,” Roldan said on Wednesday.
He added that many including children are involved in the betting. One can bet through GCash.
Roldan said the decision of the President was right as it’s not just about revenue generation but it is about stabilizing the society.
“Gawas atong nahimo na siyang (e-sabong) controversial because of disappearances but there are already indications of social problems that emerging from e-sabong. We did a quick survey nationwide and ang desisyon sa President is not just a simple decision because it is a guided decision based on the results of the survey,” he said.
The e-sabong franchise is with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
“I’m sure PAGCOR has already implemented the order of the President for the immediate cancelation of all e-sabong,” Roldan said.
