Ejercito calls for stricter gov’t control of online gambling

Sen. JV Ejercito — File photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. JV Ejercito called for the government to impose stricter controls on online gambling, calling electronic cockfighting (e-sabong) “worse” than Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).

The comment came in an interview over DWIZ on Saturday amid the Department of Justice (DOJ) revealing that 15 police officers were put under restrictive custody over the abduction of at least 34 cockfighting enthusiasts (sabungeros).

“Because of the social consequences of the effects of e-sabong, e-games, online gaming and all that, I think the government should be strict with this and e-wallets should prevent being used for online gambling,” Ejercito said.

Citing his experience as San Juan City mayor, the senator conceded that regulating traditional cockfighting would be challenging since the practice is already “part of the culture.”

He instead focused on e-sabong, stressing that it was already banned by then-President Rodrigo Duterte in 2022.

READ: Kin urges search for missing sabungeros in lake: ‘Kahit buto na lang’

“I think this is worse than Pogos. With Pogos, if it weren’t for the crimes that came with them, at least, it was foreign money entering our country,” Ejercito said.

“But, this is ordinary Filipinos’ money. Drivers, police officers, workers. They already make so little money, yet they gamble it away because it’s so easy. It can be done on cell phones,” he added. /das