PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has yet to decide on the call to temporarily stop the operations of online cockfight betting, also known as e-sabong, while the investigation on the disappearance of 31 sabungeros is ongoing.
"Procedurally, kailangan ng Senate resolution to be sent to Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation). Then Pagcor (will be the one) to advise the Office of the President with regard to that," said acting presidential spokesperson Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles in a press briefing Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
On Monday, February 28, 23 senators signed Resolution 996, urging the Pagcor to suspend the license to operate of e-sabong operators until the cases of missing sabungeros are resolved.
This came as the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs chairman Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), launched an inquiry into the sabungeros disappearances.
Dela Rosa said he personally talked to Duterte about the matter and the chief executive gave him the impression that the President is in favor of the resolution.
Earlier, Pagcor acting senior vice president for e-sabong Diane Erica Jogno said they do not see any problem in suspending the operation of e-sabong as long as it is approved by the Office of the President, as its attached agency.
The incidents of abduction were traced in Manila, Batangas and Laguna.
Police were looking at the possible involvement of a syndicate considering the similar pattern of their disappearances. (SunStar Philippines)