Duterte justifies not suspending e-sabong
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday justified his decision not to suspend e-sabong, or online cockfighting, operations, saying it is legal and the government earns millions from it monthly.
“‘That’s because e-sabong is legal. When we allow gambling, it’s legal. So you should ask: What has e-sabong done that there’s are killings, whether you like it or not,” Duterte said, speaking in a mix of English and Filipino, in his weekly taped “Talk to the People” briefing.
“You might suspect me of something because I did not stop it. I did not stop it because the government needs the money from e-sabong,” he said.
According to him, the government earns as much as P640 million a month from e-sabong.
“Where will we find that kind of money easily?” he said.
He said the Malacañang should no longer be reminded about e-sabong operations since it would be the that would go after the unpaid taxes.
The Senate earlier transmitted to Malacañang and the (Pagcor) its resolution calling for the suspension of e-sabong.
The resolution was brought about by the disappearance of at least 31 cockfighters.
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