Former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday said granting legislative franchises to e-sabong outlets is unnecessary to augment government funds for pandemic recovery.
In a statement after the Senate committee hearing on the franchise of e-sabong outlet Lucky 8 Star Quest which was held on Thursday, Cayetano said government revenue from e-sabong operations pales in comparison to other sources of government income.
“Just look at the budget for next year. We have P5 trillion for our national budget. If we are going to look at it as a pandemic budget, e-sabong’s contribution to government coffers is a mere dot,” he said.
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) officials noted that e-sabong and other forms of online gambling experienced an upsurge during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On September 21, 2021, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a bill that would grant the e-sabong outlet Lucky 8 Star Quest, Inc. a 25-year legislative franchise.
The House Ways and Means panel later approved a bill seeking to grant the Visayas Cockers Club Inc. a similar legislative franchise.
The former Speaker said Congress should continue to thoroughly discuss the social ills surrounding e-sabong.
“We shouldn’t rush this. We need to discuss this thoroughly since granting a 25-year franchise is not a simple matter,” he said.
Cayetano also urged his colleagues in Congress to instead pursue a direct stimulus program that can increase consumption, revive small businesses, and inject money into the country’s pandemic-stricken economy.
He said the national government should focus on keeping families intact by strengthening their livelihood instead of tearing them apart through the promotion of addictive vices.
“Now that we’re still struggling with a pandemic, this is the most important time to keep our families together and intact. How is that possible when gambling has this potential to destroy families?” he said.
