A legislative franchise to electronic sabong (e-sabong) is unnecessary to augment government funds for the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Taguig City Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano.
He said the 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 added.
On Sept. 21, Congress approved on third and final reading a bill granting the e-sabong outlet Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc. a 25-year legislative franchise.
The House ways and means committee later approved a bill seeking to grant the Visayas Cockers Club Inc. a similar legislative franchise.
Cayetano 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.