"No Plans To Revive E-Sabong" --- PAGCOR

The government has no plans to revive electronic cockfighting operations, also known as 'e-sabong,' according to Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco.

Under EO No. 9, live-streaming or broadcasting of cockfights outside the cockpits or arenas where the fights are held was suspended, along with online or off-site betting on live cockfighting matches.

"I want to make this clear, and I will repeat it: President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos has no marching orders to reopen e-sabong," Tengco emphasized. He added, "There is no such directive. People have been speculating, but e-sabong is not on the horizon or in the President's mind at this moment."

Former President Rodrigo Duterte suspended online cockfighting operations in May 2022. Following that, President Marcos issued Executive Order (EO) 9 in December 2022, which mandated the continued suspension of e-sabong operations nationwide.

Under EO No. 9, live-streaming or broadcasting of cockfights outside the cockpits or arenas where the fights are held was suspended, along with online or off-site betting on live cockfighting matches.

PAGCOR was instructed to coordinate with local government units (LGUs), government agencies, and private entities to implement the order.

Tengco reiterated, “There is an EO suspending operations, so we must follow it and await further instructions from the President. PAGCOR has not spent any time studying the revival of e-sabong.”