A Negros-based partylist group of breeders wants the government to review the guidelines on “E- sabong” amid reports of missing cockfighting personnel in the last few months in Luzon, Jaime “Jimmy” Mariquit, first nominee of Ako Breeder party-list, said Saturday, March 5.
His partylist group is “not against e-sabong per se because many families base their livelihood in the business, said Mariquit, who is from Escalante City said.
“I believe that it should be regulated by the government,” he said.
There is a need to push for a review on the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of online cockfighting (E-sabong), Mariquit added.
E- Sabong started during the COVID-19 pandemic without any public hearing and consultation, prior to the approval of its operations, by the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation, he said.
A review of the IRR will enable the government to put some safeguards in the implementation, he added.
PAGCOR defines e-sabong as an online, remote or off-site wagering/betting on live cockfighting matches, events, and activities streamed or broadcast live from cockpit arenas licensed or authorized by local government units.*