Sen. Raffy Tulfo has thrown down the gauntlet.
At a Senate hearing of the Committee on Games and Amusements, Tulfo did not mince words as he blasted law enforcement agencies for allegedly failing to shut down illegal online cockfighting or e-sabong operations—despite a total national ban.
The senator called out the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, and most especially the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for what he described as their inability—or unwillingness—to stop the operations.
Tulfo even presented live video footage allegedly showing illegal e-sabong activity still operating in Central Luzon.
“Yes, you’ve taken down e-sabong sites,” Tulfo said. “But those are small-scale. You know who the gambling kingpins are, yet you cannot touch them.”
Strong words. Damaging words. And if true, deeply troubling.
Tulfo publicly accused certain personalities—identified during the hearing—of being behind large-scale gambling operations. These are accusations that must be proven in proper legal proceedings. But the bigger issue remains:
Why does illegal e-sabong continue despite a nationwide ban?
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RUMORS, ALLEGATIONS, AND A CLOUD OF DOUBT
In the halls of the Senate, rumors have reportedly circulated about alleged “protection money” being funneled to certain officials. These remain unverified allegations and must be treated as such.
But perception is powerful.
When enforcement appears weak and illegal operations persist, people naturally begin to ask questions:
•Is there fear?
•Is there influence?
•Is there internal compromise?
•Or is it simply incompetence?
These questions are not accusations. They are reflections of growing public frustration.
What makes matters worse is the perception—rightly or wrongly—that big players remain untouched while smaller operators are arrested. That fuels suspicion. And suspicion erodes trust.
If these rumors are false, then the NBI must aggressively and transparently disprove them. Silence only feeds speculation.
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PODCASTS OR POLICE WORK?
Adding fuel to the fire is criticism over the NBI’s official podcast program highlighting their accomplishments.
Public communication is not wrong. Transparency is welcome.
But critics ask:
Is this the priority?
Some observers argue that while illegal e-sabong allegedly continues, the agency appears more focused on media presentation than aggressive enforcement.
Under RA 10867, the NBI Modernization Act, the Bureau’s mandate is clear: investigate major crimes, enforce special laws, and protect national interest.
The public expects results—not storytelling.
If illegal gambling syndicates are indeed operating openly, then something is clearly broken. And that is not a media problem. That is an enforcement problem.
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PERFORMANCE OR UNDERPERFORMANCE?
Sen. Tulfo’s criticism resonates because it taps into a visible gap:
A total ban exists.
Operations allegedly continue.
That disconnect demands answers.
Is the NBI overwhelmed?
Under-resourced?
Outmaneuvered?
Or simply underperforming?
Law enforcement agencies do difficult work. They deserve credit when they succeed. But they must also face scrutiny when results fall short.
The public does not measure effort.
The public measures outcomes.
And in the case of illegal e-sabong, the outcome appears unacceptable.
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PROVE THEM WRONG
Sen. Raffy Tulfo has made his position clear. He is challenging law enforcement to act decisively and without fear.
Now the ball is in the NBI’s court.
If they are not incompetent—prove it.
If they are not compromised—show it.
If they are not protecting anyone, demonstrate it through arrests and convictions.
Go after major criminal operations.
Prioritize heinous crimes.
Show visible, measurable enforcement.
Because in the court of public opinion, silence looks like weakness. And weakness invites suspicion.
This column remains open to the NBI’s official response.
The public deserves the truth.
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