SENATOR Pia Cayetano, during the marathon plenary session on the proposed 2022 national budget Monday, November 15, 2021, asks clarification from Sen. Joel Villanueva, vice chairman of the Committee on Finance, regarding the discussion about the potential use of online Sabong (cockfight) or e-Sabong funds for the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Cayetano said she is a big supporter of the sports and the PSC but she is against e-Sabong.
“I have grave concerns and I will share it at a proper time. We have already seen the devastating effects of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (Pagcor) e-Sabong even at the height of the pandemic. People go out of their homes and gather in an area just to get the results of the game. So if that’s any indication on how addictive and how destructive this activity is, I don’t know what else,” Cayetano said.
Villanueva told Cayetano that the idea was only mentioned by Sen. Francis Tolentino, but members of the committee agreed it should be reserved for future debates. He added that he is not supporting e-Sabong.
