Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. 
____________________________________________________________________ 
  Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
    HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
____________________________________________________________________ 
  AN ACT 
PROHIBITING THE OPERATIONS OF ONLINE COCKFIGHTING OR E-SABONG 
AND ANY RELATED GAMING ACTIVITY PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR 
VIOLATION THEREOF 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill aims to prohibit online cockfighting operations in the country, commonly 
known as e-sabong, and establish penalties for those who violate thereof. It also seeks 
to amend certain laws to align them with the proposed prohibition. 
Sabong is historically part of Filipino tradition that dates as early as 3,000 years 
ago. The game is placing two roosters in an arena and wage which of the two comes 
out as a winner. The odds of winning are high because there are only two sides to bet 
on. 
Today the latest state-of-the-art version of the gaming activity is called e-Sabong. 
It is online off-site wagering on live cockfighting matches and streamed live from the 
cockpit arena. 
The game has become so popular at the height of the pandemic when people 
are at home and have no other pastimes. But the activity is more than an amusement 
because money is involved. 
E-Sabong is a multi-billion revenue source of the government regulated by the
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) under the office of the 
Solicitor General and the Department of Justice. 
However, it is unfortunate that this revenue-generating gaming activity of the 
State has silent evil effects on people's lives. A lot of Filipinos fall prey to this online 
gambling business. That can ultimately lead to bankruptcy, crime, personal health 
issues, and family conflict. 
On December 28, 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive 
Order (EO) No. 9, directing the continued suspension of e-sabong operations 
nationwide. EO 9 prohibits live-streaming cockfights outside designated areas and 
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online betting on live matches, irrespective of the betting platform’s location. This 
mandate is grounded on public health, moral integrity, safety, and social welfare. 
Corollary to prohibiting the operation of e-sabong, all permits and licenses of e-
sabong operators issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation 
(PAGCOR) are declared invalid. PAGCOR is directed to account any financial 
obligation due to and from e- sabong operators. Likewise, the Cybercrime Division of 
the National Bureau of Investigation, Anti-Cybercrime Group of the Philippine National 
Police and other law enforcement agencies are directed to monitor and block any 
existing and emerging e-sabong websites. 
In view of the foregoing and to save the public from the destructive effects of 
heavy online gambling, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA


    Republic of the Philippines 
 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
  Quezon City 
 NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
  Second Regular Session 
  House Bill No. _______ 
___________________________________________________________________  
 Introduced by CIBAC Party-List, Representative  
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
___________________________________________________________________ 
 AN ACT 
PROHIBITING THE OPERATIONS OF ONLINE COCKFIGHTING OR E-SABONG 
AND ANY RELATED GAMING ACTIVITY PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR 
VIOLATION THEREOF 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. It is unlawful for any person to commit any of the following 
prohibited acts: 
(a)
Any online, remote, or off-site wagering or betting on live cockfighting
matches, events, and activities streamed or broadcasted live from cockpit
arenas or premises where the activity is being held;
(b)
Transmit, place, or receive online betting on live-streaming cockfights or
broadcasting of live cockfighting matches, events, or activities through
online or other remote mode of betting; or
(c)
Any platform operating e-sabong betting online.
For the purposes of this discussion, online or e-sabong refers to the act of 
betting on cockfights through digital platforms, which allow users to wager on the 
outcome of fights remotely. This is distinct from traditional cockfighting, which occurs 
in a physical arena or cockpit. The key distinction here is that e-sabong utilizes an 
electronic or digital system, or platform, to facilitate betting on cockfights, removing the 
need to physically attend the event. This system or platform processes wagers placed 
on the fights using remote electronic devices or off-site betting stations. 
SEC 2. Any person who violates Section 1 of this Act shall be punished by 
imprisonment of not less than One (1) year but not more than twelve (20) years, or a 
fine of not less than three hundred thousand (P300,000.00) but not more than Five 
million pesos (P5,000,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court. If the offender is 
an operator of e-sabong betting platform, the maximum penalty prescribed shall be 
imposed. 
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If the offender is a corporation or an association, the president, manager, 
managing partner, or any officer of the corporation or association who directly 
participated in the violation of Section 1 of this Act shall be held liable. 
 
If the offender is a public officer, the public officer shall be dismissed from the 
service and perpetually disqualified from holding public office. In addition, the public 
officer shall also be held administratively liable under existing laws, rules, and 
regulations. 
 
SEC 3. All permits and licenses of e-sabong operators issued by the Philippine 
Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) are declared invalid and the 
PAGCOR shall make an accounting of any financial obligation due to and from e-
sabong operators. No permits or licenses for the operation of e-sabong may be issued 
by PAGCOR upon the effectivity of this Act. 
 
The Cybercrime Division of the National Bureau of Investigation, Anti-
Cybercrime Group of the Philippine National Police, and other law enforcement 
agencies shall monitor and block all existing and emerging e-sabong websites. 
 
SEC 4. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Chairperson of 
the PAGCOR shall, in coordination with the Secretary of the Interior and Local 
Government, Chief of the Philippine National Police and Director of the National 
Bureau of Investigation, issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC 5. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act 
are repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
 
SEC 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,