THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) said its legal opinion recognizing the authority of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to regulate e-sabong, the online version of cockfighting, is based on the latter’s charter.
If lawmakers believe that a ”clear and unequivocal congressional authority is needed for the licensing of e-sabong, then Congress should act expeditiously”, Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Friday in defending the DOJ’s legal opinion.
“The legal opinion of the DOJ on the regulation of e-sabong was based on its interpretation of the PAGCOR Charter, which is an act of the legislature. On the other hand, the OSG (Office of Solicitor General) opinion was apparently based on the inadequacy of gaming authority on the part of LGUs (local government units), considering the online nature of e-sabong operations,” Guevarra told reporters via text message.
“From a policy viewpoint, the regulation of e-sabong, whether through congressional franchises or by authority of executive agencies, is far better than e-sabong being totally unregulated,” he added.
Earlier, Senator Francis Tolentino said the DOJ and OSG could have gone beyond their authority in empowering PAGCOR to issue online cockfight franchises which, he said, is not specified in the agency’s charter.
LGU regulates live cockfighting in arenas while PAGCOR has authority over e-sabong, which involves online/remote or off-site wagering/betting on live cockfighting matches, events, and activities streamed or broadcasted live from cockpit arena licensed or authorized by the LGU.
PAGCOR’s E-Sabong Licensing Department develops the regulatory framework, processes applications, and issues licenses for operations, among others.
The multibillion cockfighting industry is on the hot seat following a series of alleged abductions and disappearances of aficionados over the past few months. (Benjamin Pulta)
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