No soft words. No careful phrasing.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo lit up the Senate hearing room — and put the country’s top law enforcement agencies on the defensive.

At a heated session of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusements, Tulfo accused authorities of failing to dismantle illegal online cockfighting operations despite a standing nationwide ban.

His targets:

• The Philippine National Police (PNP)
• The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC)
• And most pointedly — the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)

“You’ve taken down small-time sites — guerillas,” Tulfo declared. “But you know who the gambling kingpin is. Why can’t you touch them?”

Then came the bombshell.

Tulfo publicly named Pineda and Bernos as alleged gambling kingpins, citing information and video footage presented before the Senate. According to testimony, live operations were allegedly still running in parts of Central Luzon.

If e-sabong is banned nationwide — why does it appear to remain active?

That question now hangs heavily over the enforcement agencies tasked with shutting it down.

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PAYOLA ALLEGATIONS SHAKE CENTRAL LUZON

Even more explosive are allegations circulating within Senate circles.

Sources claim a certain official from the NBI–Central Luzon Regional Office is allegedly acting as a conduit for “hatag” — protection money — linked to illegal e-sabong operations.

An alias “Leo,” described by sources as a bagman, is allegedly delivering “padulas” to the NBI Central Office, where the funds are supposedly divided among certain officials.

These allegations remain unproven in court. No formal charges have been announced.

But the persistence of illegal operations despite the ban raises troubling questions.

If there is no protection money, why can’t the authorities shut the operations down completely?

Are they powerless?

Or protected?

Some insiders even whisper that certain officials allegedly dismiss Tulfo’s outrage, claiming everyone benefits anyway.

If true, that would be more than incompetence.

That would be complicity.

Only a full, transparent, and independent investigation can separate fact from rumor.

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PODCAST OVER POLICING?

While enforcement efforts are being questioned, the NBI has launched — of all things — a podcast.

Critics ask: Is this the priority?

Under Republic Act 10867, the NBI’s mandate is clear — investigation and enforcement of criminal laws.

Nowhere in the statute does it mention content creation.

The optics are difficult to ignore.

As illegal gambling allegedly persists, the Bureau appears engaged in public relations efforts online.

Who authorized it?
How much does it cost?
And does it divert manpower from active investigations?

In the age of optics, perception matters.

But so do results.

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THE ATONG ANG QUESTION

Another name repeatedly linked to sabong controversies is Atong Ang, who has previously faced allegations in high-profile cases involving missing cockfighting enthusiasts.

Authorities have announced rewards. Press conferences have been held.

But the public asks:

Where are the convictions?

If individuals are merely alleged, clear their names through proper investigation.

If crimes were committed, file airtight cases.

Justice delayed — or selectively enforced — erodes public trust.

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INUTIL — OR SOMETHING WORSE?

Tulfo’s word was blunt: “Inutil.”

Useless.

But the deeper question may be more disturbing.

Is this incompetence?

Or protection?

This column does not conclude. These are questions born from sworn testimony in an official Senate hearing.

If agencies are performing effectively, they owe the public proof.

If allegations are false, they must confront them directly.

If corruption exists, it must be exposed — without fear or favor.

The public deserves enforcement, not explanations.
Action, not audio content.

This publication remains open to the official statements of the NBI and all individuals named in the hearing. They are entitled to due process and to present their side.

But until illegal e-sabong operations are decisively dismantled, the questions will persist.

Prove the critics wrong.

Or the label may endure.

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