MEDIA APPEARANCE Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., reportedly abroad, faces reporters on Monday, April 17, 2023, through an online press conference to deny his alleged role in the murder of Gov. Roel Degamo. 鈥擲CREENGRAB FROM SMNI NEWS FACEBOOK LIVE
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. admitted Thursday to running an online cockfight 鈥渁 long time ago鈥� before the government suspended it.
In an interview, the suspended congressman asserted that e-sabong is not gambling and that no existing law says it is illegal.
Why is e-sabong banned now
The Philippine National Police has been cracking down on e-sabong operations based on President Marcos鈥� Executive Order No. 9 issued in December last year.
With the EO, the government outlawed online betting on cockfights and the live streaming or broadcasting.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government had previously clarified that the decrees prohibit all forms of cockfighting other than the in-person activity allowed only on Sundays, holidays, and town fiestas. The decrees also justify the crackdown.
After at least 34 fans went missing in May last year, Mr. Marcos鈥� predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, ordered an end to e-sabong operations.
鈥楾esting the technology behind it鈥�
鈥淏efore, before, before. There is no law. A long time ago, yes. A long time ago, we were testing the app. We were testing the technology behind it,鈥� he explained in a mix of English and Filipino at ANC鈥檚 Headstart.
He said he no longer operates an e-sabong as he does not own a franchise. However, he added, he knew the people who owned an e-sabong.
Teves likewise said he did not own a small-town lottery or STL.
鈥淭otoo 鈥榶ung e-sabong, marunong ako niyan. Kasi I was one of the first who developed that, 鈥榶ung how it is, the game. Pero dati naman, hanggang ngayon nga, I don鈥檛 know if it鈥檚 really illegal or what, and wala naman talagang batas sa e-sabong,鈥� he said.
(On the e-sabong, it鈥檚 true. I know how to do that. Because I was one of the first who developed that, how it is, the game. But before, until now, I don鈥檛 know if it鈥檚 really illegal or what, as there are really no laws about e-sabong.)
He then pointed out that not all e-sabong are gambling.
鈥淗indi naman lahat ng e-sabong gambling. 鈥楶ag may pera, may gambling iyon. 鈥榊ung e-sabong na may tokens, credits; hindi naman pera 鈥榶un eh,鈥� he said.
(Not all e-sabong are gambling. If there is money, that is gambling. There鈥檚 e-sabong that has tokens, credits; that鈥檚 not money.)
Recently, Pamplona Municipality Mayor Janice Degamo, widow of slain Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, accused Teves of owning gambling businesses such as e-sabong and STL.
READ: Degamo widow claims Teves involved in STL, 鈥榚-sabong鈥�
During a Senate inquiry, she said her husband would probably still be alive if the upper chamber and other government agencies had acted promptly on the late governor鈥檚 plea for help in stopping the allegedly worsening violence in Negros Oriental.
The mayor likewise claimed that the governor 鈥� although holding the highest position in the province 鈥� could not address the violent incidents because 鈥渢he gambling lord has more money than the provincial government has allotted for intelligence.鈥�
READ: Degamo widow wants Teves expelled from House over e-gambling, murder claims
鈥淵ou may be the person holding the highest post [in the province], but financially, you鈥檙e miles behind from them. You鈥檙e just loose change to them,鈥� she said.
鈥淲e are faced with a giant opponent with money fueled by e-sabong, fueled by STL and even fueled by, maybe, illegal drugs,鈥� she also said.
READ: Degamo widow tags Teves in death of 20 to 30 persons in Negros Oriental
Gov鈥檛 execs want Arnie Teves dead?
In the same television interview, Teves claimed anew that two high-ranking government officials wanted him killed. He did not name the government officials.
READ: Teves claims 2 high-ranking gov鈥檛 officials ordered threat to his life
According to the congressman, the directive to kill him stemmed from the desire of the people behind the supposed plot against him to monopolize the e-sabong business.
He claimed that e-sabong venture of the government officials did not succeed, and they are now blaming him for it.
鈥淎ng balak pala nila, dahil sa marisol ng mga kalaban ko sa politika, at ito rin, may ka-partner din sila jueteng lord, gusto nila ma solo 鈥榶ung negsoyo ng e-sabong,鈥� he said.
(Reportedly, their plan is, because of the gossip of my political rivals, and this too, they have a partner who is a jueteng lord, they want to have the e-sabong business on their own.)
Teves鈥� whereabouts remain a mystery as he repeatedly refused to heed calls for him to return to the Philippines despite a lapsed authority to travel for medical reasons.
Teves was being tagged as among the masterminds in the assassination of governor Degamo last March 4. The gun attack inside the residential compound of the Degamos in Pamplona town also killed eight other people.
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