SENATE President Vicente Sotto III said the proposed bill on the legislative franchise for e-sabong being asked by thousands of operators is practically dead.
On the other hand, Senator Grace Poe said action cannot be taken on the proposed franchise bill due to lack of session time and many Senate members don’t agree on e-sabong or electronic cockfighting.
Poe is the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services that conducted hearings on the proposed 25-year legislative franchise being asked by e-sabong firm Lucky 8 Star Quest by gambling businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang.
On the other hand, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said that aside from the Senate not having enough time to tackle the franchise bills, President Duterte also announced to put a stop to e-sabong so there’s no more reason to provide a franchise.
He said the e-sabong industry is already dead, not unless the next administration decides to bring it back to life.
When the Senate ended its session last February, the franchise bill for Atong Ang’s company was already endorsed for plenary debates, while another separate franchise bill for e-sabong operator Visayan Cockers Clug Inc. was already in the plenary of the Lower House.