Senator Win Gatchalian took the Philippine National Police (PNP) to task over its failure to dismantle illegal gambling sites, including e-sabong, despite its huge intelligence funds.
“Sa laki ng budget na binibigay natin for intelligence funds at cybercrime prevention, bakit yung simpleng e-sabong na ilegal na sa ating bansa ay laganap pa rin?” Gatchalian asked during a recent Senate hearing.
The PNP has been allocated an intelligence budget of P1.195 billion under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
Gatchalian pointed out that despite the allocation of a huge amount for intelligence, illegal online gambling sites continue to operate with impunity, citing the case of an e-sabong website called SW418.com. He said online gambling sites, including Wil-Network, World Platinum Technologies, and Gotech Entertainment, continue to operate despite non-compliance with regulations set by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. (PAGCOR).
He emphasized that no amount of revenue growth justifies the social wreckage caused by gambling addiction. Revenue growth from e-gaming increased 44.5% from 2018 to 2024.
“Malaki nga ang kita ng gobyerno, pero hindi natin pwedeng isakripisyo ang kapakanan at moralidad ng ating mga kababayan. Kung sila ay nalululong sa sugal, ‘yan ay problema ng buong lipunan,” the senator emphasized.
