MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to terminate the e-sabong operations in the country is an affirmation of the Filipino values that keep the country strong, according to Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano.
The decision of Duterte to order the immediate suspension of e-sabong solidifies his position that the activity is “harmful” to the people and the nation, Cayetano said.
Cayetano added that what the government earns from these online gambling operations pales in comparison to the losses the people incur in terms of gambling debt, crime, and the breakup of families, among others.
“The Bible says a man reaps what he sows. E-sabong may have been generating some income for the government, but the cost has been too heavy on the lives of the people,” he said. “We want to thank the President for hearing the effect on the values of our next generation. Maraming maraming salamat, Mr. President.”
In his “Talk to the People” address aired on Tuesday morning, Duterte made the remark to stop e-sabong operations in the country.
Duterte mentioned the effect of e-sabong on individuals and families, citing claims that some people stay awake 24 hours to bet on the games.
Online forms of gambling, Cayetano said, make betting games available to everyone 24/7, making it necessary to restrict access to it, particularly to the youth.
The number of licensed operators has since increased to at least seven–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., he stated.
Cayetano has continuously advocated for the complete prohibition of e-sabong, claiming that it is inconsistent with the Filipino people’s values, which value faith and family above all else.
The increasing number of crimes connected to e-sabong, as well as the disappearance of 34 sabungeros early this year with some police officers allegedly involved, he noted.
He also mentioned instances of police officers committing robbery and a woman selling her infant to settle a gambling debt.
Cayetano stated that this is why he has been adamant in his call for the total ban of e-sabong and all other kinds of online gambling.
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