NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  9996 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to prohibit any activity related to online cockfighting or e-sabong 
operations in the country and provide penalties for violation thereof. 
Cockfighting, referred to locally as “sabong,” is a customary, traditional and popular 
activity in the country.  It is usually a part of recreation and celebration during fiestas and other 
local fairs and occasions.  The cockfights ideally involve two roosters in an arena, with bets 
on the outcome. However, with the advent of electronic technology, online cockfighting, also 
known as electronic sabong or e-sabong emerged.   
E-sabong allowed people to engage in this alluring online activity to watch and bet on 
cockfights remotely from licensed arenas through online video streaming.  Distinct from the 
traditional sabong, which involves crowd gatherings, the e-sabong captured the interests of 
virtual audiences who placed bets from their homes using laptops or mobile devices. It has 
become a platform for uncontrolled online gambling that facilitates corruption and gambling 
addiction.  This new form of gambling has become a social menace due to its damaging social 
impact. 
On May 3, 2022, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte ordered the suspension of e-
sabong operations, because of the disappearance of at least 30 people allegedly linked to 
online cockfighting. The Senate directed an investigation on the matter which paved the way 
for its suspension.   
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 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 serious ill effects of heavy 
online gambling, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
February 28, 2024
4:02 pm


NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  9996 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING ANY ACTIVITY RELATED TO ONLINE COCKFIGHTING OR E-SABONG 
OPERATIONS AND 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)
Live-stream or broadcast live cockfights outside the cockpits or cockfighting
arenas, or premises where cockfights are being held;
(b)
Place, receive or transmit a bet or wager on live-streaming or broadcasting of
live cockfighting matches, events or activities through online or other remote mode
of betting; or
(c)
Operate or maintain e-sabong betting platform.
For purposes of this Act, e-sabong refers to the online, remote or off-site wagering and 
betting on live cockfighting matches, events, and activities streamed or broadcasted live from 
cockpit arenas or at any other place; and e-sabong betting platform refers to the system that 
allows the live-streaming or broadcasting of cockfight feeds through the internet, which is then 
processed for wagering or betting on the outcome of each fight, match or events through the 
use of a remote electronic device or an off-site betting station. 
SEC 2.   Any person who violates Section 1 of this Act shall be punished by imprisonment of 
not less than six (6) months but not more than twenty (20) years, or a fine of not less than Five 
hundred thousand (P500,000.00) 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. 
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,