MANILA — AGAP party-list’s Cong. Nicanor Briones has denied allegations of engaging in online cockfighting after a video of him watching a cockfight clip during a House plenary session circulated online, sparking criticism.
In a televised interview on Thursday morning, Briones confirmed that he viewed a cockfight video while inside the session hall on Monday but insisted that he was not gambling and does not even know how to engage in electronic sabong (e-sabong).
“Hindi naman e-sabong kaya ang tawag ko nga ay fake news. Akala ng iba ay e-sabong. E unang-una hindi ako marunong tungkol sa mga online sabong na yan, online gaming. Wala akong G-Cash, wala ako nung money transfer, yun ang kailangan diyan dapat marunong ka,” Briones said.
He explained that a relative sent him the video to showcase the quality of a rooster, which was not fitted with gaffs or metal spurs typically used in an actual sabong.
“So tinitignan ko dahil gusto nilang ipakita na maayos yung manok na kanilang ipakikita,” he added. “Wala nga yung tari, yung parang, hindi talaga sabungan yung makikita naman…. na practice, kaya sabi ko ano ba naman yan kahit minsan hindi ako pumasok sa sabungan eh.”
Briones lamented that the video and photo were taken without his knowledge and disseminated without context, portraying him unfairly.
“Unang-una talaga ang dapat mag-sorry dyan yung kumuha dahil nilagyan agad niya ng nanonood ng online sabong. Hindi naman totoo, hindi naman niya ako kinausap. Hindi man lang niya ko tanungin…. sana’y tinanong naman nya ko ‘Cong. ano ba yang iyong pinapanood? Patingin nga ako at tataya rin ako,” he said.
He further clarified that the video was opened during a prolonged voting process, not during any active debate or session discussion.
“Sa totoo lang syempre bahala na ang leadership ng Congress dahil hindi maganda na kahit sino sa amin ay pwedeng ganun, hindi tinatanong biglang lalabasan ka ng news na nag-o-online sabong. Eh syempre may nag-message sayo syempre titignan mo. Ang botohan ng speakership ay hindi lang naman isang oras, 300 kaming bumoto sa-isa. So napatingin ako dun sa nag-message,” he explained.
Despite the controversy, Briones said he has chosen to forgive the person who recorded the clip after receiving an apology.
“Pinatatawad ko na. Hindi ko na siya pa-file-an ng kaso, pero humingi naman siya ng despensa dahil ginulo niya itong aming Kongreso. Nakakahiya. Baka ang akala ang ginagawa namin dito…” he said.
However, he issued a warning about the consequences of such incidents, noting the damage they cause to the image of the legislature.
“Ang akin lang wag ulitin dahil ang sinisira nila yung reputasyon ng aming institusyon ng House of Representatives. Eh biru mo walang kakuwenta-kwenta naman gumawa ng napakalaking isyu,” he said.
Briones emphasized that his intention was only to defend his name, his party-list group, and the institution of Congress. He added he is willing to face any ethics complaint that may arise./PN
