Montemayor says no to taxes from gambling; David to push for ‘moral regeneration’

Presidential candidate Dr. Jose Montemayor on Friday said he is against sourcing taxes from gambling activities as he welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to terminate e-sabong or online cockfighting operations.

“Ako po ay isang Born Again Christian, I am against taxes coming from gambling, actually all forms of gambling hindi lang e-sabong. Sangayon ako sa pagpapatigil ng e-sabong at makukwan naman natin sa ibang paraan yan, sa mga legal na paraan,” he said.

(I am a Born Again Christian, I am against taxes coming from gambling, actually all forms of gambling not just e-sabong. I agree with stopping e-sabong, we can source taxes from other means.)

“Sa e-sabong maraming consequences yan, tama si Presidente Duterte, sa pagpapatigil niyan, matitigil din ang krimen related sa e-sabong. Kasi ang e-sabong kahit maraming binibigay na pera sabihin natin, marami ring consequences sa pamilya yan may nagpapakamatay, may pinapatay, gaya ng mga sabungero na mga hinahanap ngayon,” he added.

(E-sabong has many consequences, President Duterte is right stopping it. Crimes related to cockfighting will also end. E-sabong has many ill-effects to the family —some attempt to take their life, some are killed and some are abducted like the missing sabungeros.)

E-sabong operations hit the headlines recently following the disappearance of dozens of persons involved in cockfighting. 

The President's decision was a turnaround from his statement last month wherein he defended its operations, noting the revenues it generates.

Government revenues from e-sabong hit P2 billion this year alone, according to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).

‘Moral regeneration, cultural restoration’ programs

Vice presidential candidate and executive director of Pro-Life Philippines Foundation Rizalito David vowed to push for moral regeneration and cultural restoration programs if he gets elected in the May 9 elections.

“Nais kong ipagpatuloy ang aking advocacy na magkaroon ng moral regeneration at cultural restoration program sa ating mga sangay ng pamahalaan, yun po talaga ang aking itutulak kung nasa gabinete man ako o bilang isang ikalawang pangulo lamang yun ang bibigyan ko ng pansin,” David, who is also the running mate of Montemayor, said.

(I want to continue my advocacy to have moral regeneration and cultural restoration program in our branches of government, that is really what I will push for whether I am in the Cabinet or as vice president.)

He said that the country’s biggest challenge is the “lack of morality and moral guidepost.”

“Ang aking magiging pangunahing responsibilidad ko ay ibalik yan, makatulong sa pagbabalik nitong moral guidepost na ito dahil yan lang ang paraan para ang ating pamahalaan ay umayos at ang ating lipunan ay sumagana,” he added.

(My main responsibility will help to bring back the moral guidepost because that is the only way for our government to get organized and for our society to prosper.)—LDF, GMA News