By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
Some folks have asked me how Congress can afford such high priority to discussing off-site betting operations for cockfighting or “e-sabong” amid a pandemic. Many of them usually answer their question, concluding that “big money” is involved when congressional franchises for gambling are concerned.
If that thesis refers to “lobby money,” I’d beg to give our honorable lawmakers the benefit of the doubt. I still see the likes of Deputy Speakers Eddie Villanueva of CIBAC party-list and Benny Abante of Manila’s sixth district holding the fort in the House, and Sen. Pia Cayetano opposing the same in the Senate.
I do understand the apprehension of the public and the Church. Allowing the proliferation of gambling at a time when a health crisis scourges the nation is like setting loose another disease to eat away at dwindling household incomes. And we’re not even talking about families wrecked by gambling addiction yet.
Earlier, former AGHAM party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones questioned the redundancy of the sought legislative franchises since the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is in charge of issuing licenses to e-sabong firms.
Those who argue in the name of government revenues might not know how immorally lopsided the social and financial consequences are as opposed to the tax gains. Imagine, e-sabong operations can rake in as much as P30 million in profits a day.
How can that amassed wealth of bets not be immoral for a country saddled by unprecedented unemployment and underemployment; for fathers and mothers whose bank accounts and wallets are depleted save for the GCash load and gaming stars they’ve yet to monetize? Will Congress allow that to be sucked into e-sabong, too, by a finger’s touch on a screen?
Besides that, Congressman Abante doubts if e-sabong and other types of legalized gambling, for that matter, have indeed given the government its due via proper payment of taxes.
Before we get close to that happening, he now seeks to unmask the personalities behind the franchise applications for e-sabong, which is just fair. But apparently, there’s strong opposition within the House and the reason is that these e-sabong stakeholders and owners are apparently congressmen themselves.
If true, the desperation to legalize e-sabong operations into full-blast can be tied to the need of these political animals for campaign funds. Approving more and more of these gambling franchises at this time, therefore, may change the complexion of the May 2022 elections upon which the future leadership of our country is at stake.
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