Two senators have raised concerns over law enforcement’s ability to curb illegal online gambling, questioning the use of intelligence funds by the Philippine National Police (PNP) amid reports that e-sabong operations continue despite a nationwide ban.
During a recent Senate hearing, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian pressed authorities on the apparent gap between funding for cybercrime enforcement and the continued proliferation of illegal gambling platforms.
“Given the size of the budget we provide for intelligence funds and cybercrime prevention, why is something as straightforward as e-sabong — which is already illegal in our country — still widespread?” Gatchalian asked.
Under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, the PNP has been allocated about ₱1.195 billion in intelligence funds.
Gatchalian cited specific online gambling sites, including SW418.com, and flagged operators such as Wil-Network, World Platinum Technologies, and Gotech Entertainment that he said continue to operate despite alleged non-compliance with regulations of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).
He warned that the rapid growth of the e-gaming sector should not outweigh its social costs, noting that government revenue from e-gaming increased by 44.5% from 2018 to 2024.
“The government may be earning significant revenue, but we cannot sacrifice the welfare and moral well-being of our people,” Gatchalian said. “If they fall into gambling addiction, that becomes a problem for the whole of society.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Raffy Tulfo also criticized enforcement agencies — including the PNP, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) — over what he described as a slow response to illegal e-sabong and online gambling activities.
At a Senate Committee on Games and Amusement hearing on Feb. 11, Tulfo presented footage of what he said was an ongoing live e-sabong operation allegedly taking place in Central Luzon, suggesting that large-scale activities continue despite the government’s prohibition.
Tulfo questioned the use of roughly ₱1.3 billion in intelligence funds, saying major personalities allegedly behind the operations have yet to be apprehended.
“Yes, you were able to take down some e-sabong sites, but those were the small ones, the guerilla operations,” Tulfo said. “The biggest one in the Philippines, located in Central Luzon, you have not been able to take down. You know who the gambling kingpin is, yet you cannot move against him.”
He added: “Show us that you are working for the people and not just for influential and powerful individuals.”
During the hearing, Tulfo publicly named “Pineda” and “Bernos” as alleged gambling kingpins and questioned why enforcement efforts appeared focused on small-scale neighborhood gambling while large-scale online operations continued.
