Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said Monday that she is in favor of the city councilors’ recommendation to allow the operation of online or electronic sabong (e-sabong) in the city.
In a radio interview, Duterte-Carpio said that it will help their economy, especially since many businessmen are crying for help because of the pandemic.
“May hinahabol tayo na pera na kailangan nating hanapin from other sources kasi hindi na natin maaasahan ang mga regular sources natin dati, yung local taxes natin, especially nahihirapan ang mga businesses ngayon,” said Duterte-Carpio.
(We are chasing money that we need to find from other sources because we can no longer rely on our regular sources before, our local taxes, especially businesses are having difficulty now.)
Cockfighting is one of the types of gambling that is not allowed due to the pandemic, especially since it is often considered a mass gathering.
In March 2020, cockfighting was one of the reasons for the spread of COVID-19 in some parts of Mindanao.
But Duterte-Carpio insisted, they may find a way for the cockpits to operate safely.
“Baka may makita tayong possibility of revenue dito sa electronic sabong. Ma-cater pa rin ang need nila na magsabong, pero safely in the confines of their cellphone or laptop,” the mayor said.
Also read: Imposing taxes on online sabong approved by House panel
Sara Duterte in favor of e-sabong in Davao City
(Maybe we can see the possibility of revenue here in electronic cockfighting. They can still cater to their need to conduct cockfighting, but safely in the confines of their cellphone or laptop.)
Councilor Danny Dayanghirang said last week that they are already organizing public hearings on the proposal.
In February,
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said the unchecked e-sabong or cockfighting in the country lowered lotto sales.
According to PCSO general manager Royina Garma, online or e-sabong becomes rampant due to the quarantine restrictions.
In November 2020, the House Committee on Ways and Means approved a bill aiming to impose new taxes on legal online sabong (cockfight) and other legally-operated electronic betting activities.