QUEZON CITY, Philippines — During the House Committee on Appropriations hearing on the budget of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) for 2025, OFW Rep. Marissa Magsino asked Pagcor Chair Alejandro Tengco if it would be possible to legalize the currently prohibited “e-sabong” to help the agency continue generating revenue amid the ban on POGOs.

After this, the call to oppose Rep. Magsino’s suggestion quickly went viral among OFWs. The congresswoman also immediately released a statement in a radio program and during her livestream.

According to Rep. Magsino, her question was made in good faith, and she was simply seeking information about online sabong from PAGCOR.

However, OFW leaders were not convinced by her explanation, as the circulating videos clearly showed that she was suggesting the legalization of online sabong to help PAGCOR generate revenue.

Rep. Magsino explained, “dapat po para maka-generate ng funds, baka pwede na lamang tayo magkaroon ng lisensya para pandagdag sa pondo ng PAGCOR.”

She further added, “kailangan lang po na gawin nating legal kesa mag-ilegal na wala naman tayong nakukuhang benepisyo.”

The Ako-OFW strongly opposes the suggestion to legalize e-sabong.

Although Ako-OFW admits that there is a need to increase funds to continue providing social services to citizens, they believe that allowing the reopening of e-sabong is not the solution.

Ako-OFW believes that e-sabong brings harm and suffering to OFWs and their families.

“Marami na ang nabaon sa pagkakautang dahil dito, maging sa ibang bansa,” said Dr. Chie Umandap.

According to Umandap, some members of Ako-OFW who are abroad have sought assistance to return to the Philippines due to being deeply in debt because of gambling in e-sabong.

“Kaya naman tinututulan ng Ako-OFW ang proposisyong buhayin muli ang e-sabong. Atin pong protektahan [ang] ipon at buhay ng ating mga kababayang OFW, ang pamilya nila at mga kapwa Pilipino,” Umandap commented.

Lito Soriano, a former OFW who owns an agency, also posted on Facebook, “OFW Partylist Congresswoman Marissa Magsino appears to be lobbying for the legalization of eSabong by way of passing a law to legalize it. e-Sabong brought so much havoc to OFWs and their family as OFWs were involved in this on-line gambling.”

Soriano further added, “As a former OFW and currently involved in deploying thousands of workers overseas every year, I fear so much that if e-Sabong become legal not only OFWs and their families but for the general public. Let us jointly oppose this MONSTER.”

File photo: Ako-OFW Party-list FB