E-sabong operations will remain unaffected while authorities carry out an investigation over the case of missing persons related to the industry, according to a memorandum from Malacañang on Wednesday.
Malacañang made the remarks as it ordered the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation to carry out a "thorough investigation" on the disappearances and report them to the Office of the President and the Department of Justice.
It also ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to check for any violation of its e-sabong licensees under existing terms of agreement.
In addition, it ordered the organization to ensure the compliance of e-sabong operators with the "security and surveillance requirements under its Regulatory Framework for E-Sabong Off-Cockpit Betting Station, particularly the installation of CCTV systems in e-sabong gaming sites, among others."
"Unless otherwise directed, the operations of e-sabong licensees shall remain unaffected, pending the result of the above investigations," the memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea read.
The statement from Malacañang cleared the contradicting claims between the Senate and PAGCOR on President Rodrigo Duterte's stance on e-sabong operations.
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa previously claimed that he talked to President Rodrigo Duterte, who agreed with the motion to suspend e-sabong operations.
But PAGCOR chairman and chief executive officer Andrea Domingo contradicted this, saying that they spoke with Medialdea and said the president made no such statements.
The Senate initially put forward a resolution calling on PAGCOR to halt e-sabong operations until the case of missing sabungeros are resolved, but PAGCOR refused to comply citing legal repercussions.
According to Dela Rosa, there are now 34 missing persons who are involved with e-sabong.
