Marcos orders continued suspension of e-sabong ops

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the continued suspension of electronic sabong or e-sabong operations nationwide.

Under Executive Order No. 9, Marcos said  “There is an urgent need to reiterate the continued suspension of all e-sabong operations nationwide, clarify the scope of existing regulations and direct relevant agencies to pursue aggressive crackdown against illegal e-sabong operations, in accordance with law.”

"The State has the paramount obligation to protect public health and morals, and to promote public safety and the general welfare," Marcos said.

The order suspends live-streaming or broadcasting of live cockfights outside cockpits or cockfighting arenas or premises where cockfights are being held.

The EO also suspends online/remote, or off-cockpit wagering/betting on live cockfighting matches and/or activities streamed or broadcast live, regardless of the location of the betting platform.

Meanwhile, the operations of traditional cockfights authorized or licensed under existing laws shall not be covered by the suspension. 

Marcos also tasked the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to coordinate with local government units (LGUs), other concerned government agencies and private entities on the implementation of EO No. 9.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have also been directed to render necessary assistance to PAGCOR in the implementation of the order and shall take appropriate action against violators, in accordance with law.

The said agencies should make regular reports to the President regarding the enforcement of the EO.

In May, Former President Rodrigo Duterte approved the recommendation of the DILG to stop e-sabong or online cockfighting operations as these were blamed for the deterioration of moral values among many Filipinos. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News