Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 1455

Introduced by Representative
ROLANDO M. VALERIANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Cocktighting, also known as ‘sabong’, is a traditional sport and cultural
phenomenon in the Philippines. It is not only a form of entertainment but also
a way of life for many people. It is a source of income for breeders, trainers,
and cockfighters themselves. In addition, cockfighting provides a sense of
camaraderie and community for those who participate, with many enthusiasts
forming close relationships with their fellow cockfighters.

Despite its popularity, cockfighting in the Philippines is a controversial
issue. Through the years, there have been efforts to regulate it with the
government cracking down on related illegal gaming activities. Presidential
Deeree No 449, also known as the ‘Cockfighting Law of 1974”, governs the
establishment, operation and ownership of cockpits in the Philippines and
its holding of cockfights in unlicensed cockpits and other gambling
ies during a cockfight. Moreover, Republic Act No. 7160, or the ‘Local
Government Code of 1991’, authorizes local government units (LGUs) to
issue licenses for the establishment, operation and maintenance of cockpits
and to regulate cockfighting in their respective jurisdictions.

But just recently, cockfighting in the Philippines has made a ‘game-
changing’ shift to the online space. With online cockfighting or e-sabong,
afficionados place their bets online using certain apps and websites, instead
of at the cockpit arena, and then watch the cockfight derby via their laptops,
mobile phones or similar electronic devices. The Philippine Gaming
Corporation (PAGCOR) by virtue of its authority and mandate under its
charter issues permits to operate e-sabong to cockpit and off-cockpit
operators and betting stations.

Admittedly, with their accreditation, these e-sabong firms provided
huge revenues to the country’s coffers through PAGCOR. However,
notwithstanding, despite regulatory policies and controls, certain sectors
have expressed their concern on the increasing patronization by the Filipino


public of e-sabong. Its evil effects on people's lives was undeniable. A lot of
Filipinos, including the youth and underaged, who have easy internet access,
fell prey to this online gambling activity. This led to gambling addiction,
bankruptcy, personal health issues, family conflicts, and the commission of
crimes. The most prominent controversy blamed on e-sabong is the case of
the missing sabungeros which to date remains unsolved. These are the social
costs of allowing the proliferation of online cockfighting or e-sabong in the
country. A cost that may be too high for the people to pay, belittling any
amount of revenue the government can generate from it.

Other than sabong, it is anticipated that the purveyors of gambling
would come up with alternative online gaming and gambling activities. These
could include horse racing, dog racing, pula puti, online casino, sports betting
and all other related online gambling games and activities. As with the
experience with e-sabong, it is expected that this would have the same
negative results.

This bill seeks to prohibit and penalize e-sabong and other online
gaming or gambling activities specifically:

a) Live-streaming or broadcasting of live cockfights outside the
cockfighting arenas or premises, regardless whether the cockfights are
authorized or not, or the arenas are licensed or not.

b) Placing, receiving or transmitting, and processing of a bet or wager on
live-streaming or broadcasting of live cockfighting matches or
activities through online betting platforms.

©) Operating or maintaining an e-sabong betting platform.

d) All forms of online gambling, including but not limited to include horse
racing, dog racing, pula puti, online casino and sports betting.

‘The proposed measure also mandates that all permits and licenses of e-
sabong operators and other forms of online gambling issued by the Philippine
Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) shall declared invalid and
revoked. And that no permits or licenses for the operation of e-sabong and
online gambling shall be further issued by PAGCOR upon its effectivity.

Indeed the future of this country depends on the State. The choice of
whether the government should continue to tolerate its source of income or
protect the welfare of the people, should be resolved in favor of the people,
for whom, in the first place, the State exists.

For the following reasons, the immediate consideration and approval of

this bill is earnestly urged.

ROLANDO M. VALERIANO,
Representative


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 1455.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE,
ROLANDO M. VALERIANO.

AN ACT
PROHIBITING AND  PENALIZING ONLINE
COCKFIGHTING OR E-SABONG, AND OTHER FORMS
OF ONLINE GAMBLING, PROVIDING PENALTIES
FOR VIOLATION THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title ~ This Act shall be known as the ‘Anti Online
Cockfighting and Gambling Act’.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy — The State recognizes the traditional
and cultural significance of cockfighting in the Philippines which has become
an integral part of the nation’s cultural heritage associated with religious
festivals and social bonding. Considered as a national pastime and sport,
cockfighting plays an important role in the social and economic fabric of
communities, providing entertainment, camaraderie and a medium to preserve
their cultural identity.

However, with the advent of internet technology, online cockfighting
has emerged allowing audiences to engage in online betting and wagering

through online video streaming with the use of electronic mobile devices. This


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mode of gambling has been demonstrated to cause addiction, corruption,
bankruptcy, neglect of work or studies, and other negative social impacts,
becoming a social menace that the State is duty-bound to proscribe and
penalize.

Other than cockfighting, any online gambling would yield the same
negative effect on the general population, and thus should be prohibited.
Section 3. Definition of Terms ~ For purposes of this Act:

a) E-sabong refers to the online, remote or off-site wagering and betting
on live cockfighting matches streamed or broadcasted in real time from
cockpit arenas or any other place, licensed or otherwise.

b) E-sabong betting platform refers to a digital service or system that
facilitates the live-streaming or broadcasting of cockfight feeds via the
internet, including the betting or wagering on the outcome of fights
through the use of remote electronic devices or off-site betting stations.

©) Online Gambling refers to the online wagering and betting conducted
on the internet.

Section 4. Unlawful and Prohibited Acts —It shall be unlawful for any
person to commit any of the following prohibited acts:

a) Live-streaming or broadcasting of live cockfights outside the
cockfighting arenas or premises, regardless whether the cockfights are
authorized or not, or the arenas are licensed or not;

b) Placing, receiving or transmitting, and processing of a bet or wager on
live-streaming or broadcasting of live cockfighting matches or
activities through online betting platforms;

©) Operating or maintaining an e-sabong betting platform;


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d) All forms of online gambling, including but not limited to include horse

racing, dog racing, pula puti, online casino and sports betting.

Section 5. Penalties — Any person who commits any of the prohibited
acts in Section 4 of this Act shall be punished by imprisonment of not less
than six (6) years but not more than twenty (20) years, or a fine of not less
than Five hundred thousand pesos (P 500,000.00) but not more than Five
million pesos (P 5,000,000.00), or both at the discretion of the court. If the
offender is an operator of an e-sabong betting platform, the maximum
penalties prescribed shall be imposed.

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 commission of the prohibited 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. The
public officer shall also be held administratively liable under existing laws,
rules and regulations.

Section 6. Existing E-Sabong and Online Gambling Permits and
Licenses Revoked — All permits and licenses for operators of e-sabong and all
other forms of online gambling issued by the Philippine Amusement and
Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) arc hereby declared invalid and revoked. No
permits or licenses for the operation of e-sabong or all other forms of online
gambling shall be issued by PAGCOR upon the effectivity of this Act.

Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations — Within ninety (90)

days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of the Interior and Local


Government (DILG), in coordination with the PAGCOR, the Philippine
National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) shall
issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of
this Act.

Section 8. Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, executive orders,
presidential issuances and other administrative rules and regulations or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or
modified accordingly.

Ses

ion 9. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is

declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the validity of the other
provisions shall not be affected thereby.

Section 10. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

APPROVED.