The House of Representatives passed on its third and final reading a bill prohibiting e-sabong, or online cockfighting, with a vote of 162-2-0 on Wednesday night.
House Bill No. 11254 prohibits all forms of online cockfighting. If enacted, it will invalidate all existing permits and licenses granted by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to e-sabong operators. It will also ban the issuance of new permits for similar operations.
Individuals found guilty of violating the measure may face imprisonment for one to 20 years, a fine of at least P500,000, or both, depending on the court’s decision. Public officials involved in such activities will face additional penalties, including dismissal from service and permanent disqualification from holding any public office.
Representative Bro. Eddie Villanueva, one of the authors of the bill, emphasized that the move to ban e-sabong is not only a legal step but also a moral one. He said he had seen how the widespread use of e-sabong has negatively affected countless Filipino families.