Raps filed vs. Philracom execs over online sabong

An anti-graft group on Wednesday filed criminal and administrative complaints against Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) officials for allegedly allowing the proliferation of online sabong in off-track betting (OTB) stations.

In its 14-page complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, the Anti-Trapo Movement of the Philippines (ATM) accused Philracom chairman Andrew Sanchez of violating RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for allegedly failing to fulfill the commission's mandate to protect the horse racing industry in the country.

Also charged were Philracom commissioners Bienvenido Niles Jr., Wilfredo de Ungria, Victor Tantoco, Jose Gutierrez Santillan Jr., Lyndon Noel Guce and Ramon Bagatsing.

ATM founder Leon Estrella Peralta said the government has already lost at least P350 million in revenue since online sabong began operations in OTBs in December 2015.

"The allowance of online sabong in OTBs negated the growth of horse racing and prevented the full exploitation of the sport as a source of revenue," Peralta said.

Citing their research, Peralta said online sabong is usually held at the same time as the regular horse racing.

Because betting is done in the same OTBs, Peralta claimed that horse racing revenues have declined because bets are diverted to online sabong.

According to ATM's complaint, Philracom's failure to address the issue of online sabong is contrary to the declared policy of Presidential Decree (PD) 420, which paved the way for the establishment of the commission.

PD 420 sought to "promote and direct the accelerated development and continued growth of horse racing not only in the pursuance of the sports development program but also in order to ensure the full exploitation of the sport as a source of revenue and employment."

"We are filing this complaint not only to help the government recover much-needed revenues but also to support President Duterte's campaign against illegal gambling because we believe that online sabong is illegal," Peralta said. —ALG, GMA News