Granting of franchise to 'online sabong' operators needs thorough discussion -- Robredo

Aspiring president Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday, Feb. 4, that a thorough discussion between all affected parties on granting a franchise to online cockfight operators must take place in the Congress.

"Ako unang-una, hindi kasi ako yung mag-gagrant ng franchise kundi Congress. Yung sa kin lang, kailangan pag-usapan nang maayos ito sa Kongreso, pakinggan yung lahat na apektado, hindi lang yung nag-aapply ng franchise pero yung community-ng maaapektuhan (For me, first and foremost, I am not the one granting the franchise but the Congres. For me, this needs to be discussed thoroughly, all affected must be heard, not only the one applying for frnachise but also the community that will be affected)," Robredo said during the KBP Presidential Candidates Forum.

The Vice President stressed that this has been the the problem in the past wherein only the franchise applicant is being included in the discussion.

While Robredo is pushing for such set up as far as the granting of franchise is concerned, she, however, emphasized that she does not agree with any thing that causes addiction, especially to the youth.

"Kung ako tatanungin mo, hindi ako agree sa any thing na makaka-cause ng addiction sa 'tin, lalo na sa ating mga kabataan. Dahil ito sagabal, hindi lang sa kanilang pag-aaral pero sagabal ito sa kanilang growth as young people (If you ask me, I don't agree with any thing that caused addiction, especially to the youth. Because this is a hindrance not only to their education but also to their growth as young people)," the presidential aspirant said.

"Ito ay nakaka-affect sa values system natin, pero yung sa'kin, dahil hindi ako yung magdedesisyon noon, kailangan siguraduhin lang na yung proseso maayos at napapakinggan lahat (This also affected our values system, but for me because I am not the one making decision over it, it must be ensured that the process is properly implemented and all are being heard)," she added.

The KBP presidential forum was also attended by four other candidates: Senator Ping Lacson, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Mayor Isko Moreno, and Leody de Guzman.