A House leader expressed confidence that more leaders in the country will realize the negative effects of online gambling, just like what President Rodrigo Duterte did.

Earlier, President Duterte admitted that initially allowing online cockfighting created “disorder” and inflicted “pain” in society because it caused families to fall apart.

Deputy Speaker Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. said the President should be credited for recognizing the adverse impact of online gambling on Filipino families, as this may convince other leaders to reevaluate their positions on online gambling in their respective jurisdictions.”

For many time, Abante said that the negative effects of gambling are well-documented; but online gambling is even more worrisome because it makes this vice so much more accessible to a greater percentage of our population.

“The President’s recent statements regarding e-sabong, together with indications that President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will prohibit online cockfighting during his administration, are good omens,” Abante said.

“Given this, I believe a national conversation regarding online gambling is necessary and overdue… so we can craft and pass legislation that will either heavily regulate online gambling, or better yet, prohibit it completely,” he added.

The President earlier narrated how e-sabong was responsible for destroying families, and lamented that “pag na-dysfunctional, sige away; maghiwalay ‘yan… pag nag-away ‘yan, gulo na ang pamilya, maghiwalay, ang mga bata…”

Abante acknowledged that the national government and even local government units could raise revenues from online gambling, but stressed that “all the evidence shows that the societal costs of online gambling far outweigh its pecuniary benefits.”

The legislator urged elected officials to consult their constituents to find out firsthand how online gambling platforms were affecting their communities.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas