Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has expressed support for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s executive order (EO) continuing the suspension of e-sabong operations nationwide, saying it is “a necessary step” to protect the well-being of Filipinos.
“I believe this is a necessary step to protect the wellbeing of our citizens and prevent the negative consequences of online gambling, such as addiction and financial ruin,” Cayetano said.
President Marcos had issued EO No. 9 on Dec. 28 citing the “urgent need to reiterate the continued suspension of all e-sabong operations nationwide, clarify the scope of existing regulations and direct relevant agencies to pursue aggressive crackdown against illegal e-sabong operations, in accordance with law".
Cayetano brought up the case of the 34 missing “sabungeros” (cockfighting afficionados).
The case, which had been linked to cheating in online gambling, has yet to be solved and the 34 sabungeros remain missing after almost two years.
“It is imperative that we do everything in our power to prevent such tragedies from occurring. Kailangan nating maseguro ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan (we need to ensure the safety of our countrymen),” he added.
The senator said that in ordering the suspension of e-sabong operations in the country, then-president Rodrigo Duterte cited the negative effect e-sabong was having on Filipinos, saying the activity was “working against our values” despite bringing in millions of pesos monthly in government revenues.
E-sabong operations began in late 2021 when, despite Cayetano’s strong opposition as Taguig-Pateros first district representative, Congress approved the licenses of operators nationwide.
Saying government’s role is both “to do good and prevent evil", Cayetano continued to oppose e-sabong until Duterte finally ordered a stop to it.
With President Marcos’s EO against e-sabong, Cayetano vowed to continue his campaign against all forms of online gambling.
“E-sabong has been getting the most attention because of the disappearance of 34 men,’’ he said.
Cayetano also encouraged religious leaders to continue preaching on the evils of e-sabong and warning their congregations about getting involved in online gambling activities.
“We will continue what we started. Hindi lang e-sabong ang dapat itigil kundi lahat ng uri ng online gambling (We will continue our campaign against e-sabong and other forms of online gambling),” he added
The former House Speaker had taken a hardline stance against e-sabong throughout 2021, calling for its abolition despite lawmakers approving congressional licenses for online cockfighting operators amid the activity’s growing popularity then.
In September 2021 while the presidential race was shaping up, Cayetano lamented that potential candidates were vocal in certain issues but failed to take strong positions on the issue of e-sabong and online gambling.