Re-electionist Senator Leila de Lima lamented that President Rodrigo Duterte chose to continue the operation of online cockfighting because of the billion pesos in government revenue here rather than the impact of gambling on the people.
As a social justice and human rights champion, De Lima stressed that the government should not waste huge profits from gambling and instead should explain to the people the negative effects of gambling, especially on the youth.

The Senate had earlier asked the president to temporarily suspend e-sabong while its investigation into the missing more than 30-sabungero continues but President Duterte said in his talk of the nation that he would not suspend it because of the billion pesos tax available.
But De Lima points out that gambling such as e-sabong only strengthens the network of jueteng lords and their influence in politics.
De Lima added that apart from corruption, crimes such as prostitution, human trafficking, drugs, money laundering, kidnapping, or serious illegal detention and possible killings caused by e-sabong are also alarming.

He said the government’s proud revenue can never match the ruined future, especially of the youth.

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