Senate panel moves to halt e-sabong; Pagcor okays suspension

MANILA, Philippines— A  Senate panel on Thursday moved to suspend the operations and licenses of e-sabong or online cockfighting until cases of the missing 31 “sabungeros” (cockfight enthusiasts) have been resolved.

During the hearing  of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III  proposed that the panel issue a resolution to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to suspend all the licenses of  e-sabong operators “until we find an acceptable  conclusion to what’s happening to these 31 missing personalities.”

Senator  Panfilo Lacson echoed Sotto’s motion, clarifying that the proposed suspension covers the operations and existing e-sabong licenses of Belvedere Vista Corp., Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc., Visayas Cockers Club Inc., Jade Entertainment And Gaming Technologies, Inc., Newin Cockers Alliance Gaming Corp., Philippine Cockfighting International Inc., and  Golden Buzzer, Inc.

READ: Failure to solve cases of ‘missing sabungeros’ a ‘big slap’ to police, PNP told

Senator Francis Tolentino, meanwhile, added an amendment to the motion as he proposed the temporary removal of e-sabong payment system from the GCash menu.

When no member objected to Sotto’s motion, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is leading the probe as chairman of the panel, directed the committee to immediately issue the resolution.

“So ComSec  (Committee Secretary), you prepare a resolution  addressed to Pagcor to suspend the  operation of  e-sabon hanggat hindi mabigyan ng linaw  itong  31 missing persons,” Dela Rosa said.

READ: Dela Rosa’s plea to crooks behind ‘missing sabungeros’: Free them

Dela Rosa then asked the acting Vice President of E-Sabong Licensing Department of Pagcor, Diane Erica Jogno, present in the hearing if the resolution sits well with the regulatory body.

Responding to the question, Jogno said, “As guided by our top management, we are okay po with the suspending  of the operations and we will also seek the approval po  from the Office of the President.”

The panel  head thanked the Pagcor official, saying that the committee will not adjourn “with a heavy heart.”

Dela Rosa, however, clarified if Jogno’s statement is the official stand of Pagcor.

Jogno answered yes, reiterating that they will still seek the approval of the Office of the President to suspend e-sabong operations in the country.

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KGA