The chairman and CEO of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Alejandro Tengco, stated on September 12 that the government currently has no plans to resume the e-sabong (online cockfighting) business.
In an interview, Tengco clearly stated: "I want to clarify this point and repeat it again, President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos has not issued any instructions to restart online cockfighting."
He further added: "There is no such thing. Although there are rumors, it is certain that the president is not considering restarting online cockfighting at this time."
In May 2022, then-President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the suspension of online cockfighting operations. In December 2022, President Marcos also issued Executive Order No. 9, continuing the suspension of online cockfighting operations nationwide.
According to the order, the live broadcasting or transmission of cockfighting events outside cockfighting arenas is prohibited. Additionally, all online or remote cockfighting betting, regardless of the location of the betting platform, will be suspended.
The order also requires the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to coordinate with local government units, other relevant government agencies, and private entities to ensure the implementation of the order.
Tengco finally stated: "There is an executive order to suspend operations, so we must comply and wait for the president's instructions. PAGCOR has not yet spent time studying the possibility of resuming online cockfighting."
