With Philippine Offshore Gambling Operator (POGO) money quickly leaving the country, the government is looking more seriously at cockfighting as a new source of revenue. But with the activity not being legal in all parts of the country, one policeman learned just how dangerous a cock can be, the hard way.

A new bill in the House of Representatives seeks to tax offsite betting on cockfights, or sabong as its known locally. House Bill 7991 would set up an electronic gambling tax with the aim to fund coronavirus efforts, while also regulating the legal gray areas of the activity.

“The operations are already legal, by virtue of local ordinances, but the electronic aspect of it is a legal gray area. Because of the ambiguity, we are unable to levy national taxes on these activities, or look into their operations. My bill addresses that concern,” said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jose Maria Clemente S. Salceda, who filed the bill.

“The tax shall be 5% of gross revenues derived from offsite betting activities, and shall not be in lieu of taxes required by the local government units, and regulatory fees and charges imposed by government agencies,” Salceda said.  “This is consistent with the bill’s intention not to overstep the authority of the local government units (LGUs).”