 |
| Photo credit to GMA News Facebook |
I would like to see the apology of outgoing President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD) as humbling following his admission of oversight in allowing e-sabong to operate in the Philippines.
Indeed, it takes a man to own up to his mistake. But while I commend the President for admitting he had a late realization on the effects of e-sabong to cockfighting enthusiasts, I however, would not buy that easily.
President Duterte may not have the sufficient time to go through thoroughly to the e-sabong when it was submitted for the approval of the chief executive, but I believe the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporations and other Offices of the President such as the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Office "tasked to manage the development and formulation of the projects and policies of the Office of the President" (as defined by the Wikipedia). I agree that it is the command responsibility of the chief executive, but the agency that endorsed the e-sabong must also be held accountable for not doing its job well. Because obviously, the authorities concerned were only overwhelmed by the P640-million revenue that will be collected from cockfighting aficionados online and dismissed the consequences that goes or would be generated from the proposal.
However, now that the effects and ills of the gambling are coming out, the government's easy way out of course is to stop its operation to prevent further damage and criticisms.
It is pitiful for the Filipino taxpayers as our interests and welfare were always taken at the backseat. We were actually never the priority, but the people are always being used as an excuse every time the government officials have to make a critical decision.
I hope that the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, would make true to his promises that he would bring the Philippines back to its glory and not to further deplete the country that is already debilitated.
Despite and inspite the obvious, let us all try to remain optimistic that all this are just a phase that we as a Filipino nation must work together.