DBM opposes e-sabong revival

MANILA, Philippines — Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman is not in favor of reviving online cockfighting or e-sabong, saying the sector’s potential revenues are also limited.

During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum yesterday, Pangandaman noted that e-sabong is not part of revenue assumptions under next year’s National Expenditure Program.

“It’s definitely not included. So I don’t think it’s necessary because we already have this,” she said.

“And hearing from (Finance) Secretary (Ralph) Recto, I think he is not in favor also,” she added.

Earlier, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) floated the idea of implementing better e-sabong operations.

Data from PAGCOR showed that e-sabong generated around P6.2 billion in state revenues before it was banned by the Duterte administration in May 2022.

The ban was continued by President Marcos through the issuance of an executive order in December 2022, directing all e-sabong licensees to take down their websites, including accredited auxiliary operations and off-cockpit betting stations.

“As of now, PAGCOR revenues are high. They are efficient even without (e-sabong) and are remitting significant subsidies (to the Bureau of the Treasury),” Pangandaman said.

“We can easily raise that fund, as Secretary Recto mentioned,” she added.

Several senators have also bucked the revival of e-sabong, saying this is worse than Philippine offshore gaming operations that had been ordered to stop by yearend.

Data showed that more than 30 online cockfighting aficionados have been missing since 2022 and are believed to have been murdered.