A Filipino lawmaker has found himself in hot water after being caught on camera watching what appeared to be an online cockfight—commonly known as e-sabong—during the opening of the 20th Congress on July 28.
AGAP Party-list Representative Nicanor Briones admitted during a press conference that he was the man in the now-viral video, but insisted that he was not personally betting on the digital match. According to the congressman, the footage was merely “sent to him via Messenger,” and he was simply viewing the message.
“To tell the truth, someone messaged me on Messenger. So, I just looked at it,” Briones explained in Filipino. “I didn’t expect someone would capture my private messages. I was surprised, but my conscience is clear—I don’t gamble. You won’t find me in a cockpit.”
The viral video showed Briones hunched over his phone as the screen displayed a cockfight matchup labeled “1st Fight Left Side” and “2nd Fight Right Side.” The incident occurred while lawmakers were voting for the next House Speaker.
Briones denied accusations that he was transferring money to place bets, slamming the allegations as “fake news.” He also stressed that he does not have any e-wallet accounts, saying: “I’m old school.”
“It’s being made to look like I wasn’t doing anything… the voting took a long time, and someone just invited me to a traditional sabong match,” he said, claiming he was not interested in attending.
The congressman said he has since forgiven the individual who took the video and circulated it online, but warned them not to repeat the act.
“To whoever took the video and spread fake news that I was watching or betting on e-sabong, I don’t know your motive, but I forgive you. Just don’t do it again, or next time, you might land in jail,” Briones cautioned.
He also issued a public apology to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, expressing shame that the video may have tainted the image of Congress.
“I’m embarrassed in front of Speaker Romualdez. It feels like this has stained the reputation of Congress. That’s why I’m speaking out now. I ask for your understanding.”
The incident has reignited debate over online gambling in the Philippines, with lawmakers divided on whether to push for stricter regulations—or call for an outright ban.
