Several senators have turned on the red light on a petition earlier approved by the House of Representatives that gave the go-signal for the construction, operation and maintainance of a greyhound racing track in Mandaue, Cebu.

Leading the pack of oppositors was Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, who pledged to block any effort in the Senate to pass the House bill.

“As an animal lover, personally, I am not in favor with the enactment of the bill. When it comes to the floor, I will oppose it,” said Zubiri.

Earlier, the members of the House of Representatives passed House Bill No. 5291 or an Act Granting The Fox New Millennium Amusement Club Inc. a Franchise to Construct, Operate and Maintain a Greyhound Racetracks in Any Place Within the City of Mandaue, Province of Cebu.

In a petition before the Senate, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia-Pacific said there are also ethical issues to be considered aside from the revenues to be generated from the racetrack.

“Every year, countless greyhounds are killed by breeders and owners because they are too slow to win races," PETA said. "Dogs have been shot, bludgeoned, or simply abandoned and left to fend for themselves.”

In a statement, it also protested that concerned groups like PETA were deprived of their right to debate on the bill.

It accused lawmakers of intentionally leaving the said groups, which "violates the spirit and intention of the Constitution on the people’s right to information on matters of public concern."

PETA accused the House of Representatives of secretly passing the bill and the Senate committee on public services, which is chaired by Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., of conducting "secret" hearings in order to fast-track the proposal's passage into law.

“Allowing only those with a vested interest in this plan to be involved in the application process can only be construed as an attempt to sanction this deal behind closed doors, and it undermines the confidence of Filipinos about the openness and transparency of their government,” PETA said in its petition.

But, Revilla said he sees nothing wrong with the measure, which is scheduled to be deliberated upon in the session hall this week.

“Wala akong nakikitang masama sa panukala. If there is cruelty, I will send it back to the committee level in order to make further study of the proposal,” said Revilla.

Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy”Aquino III also said he is against the measure, adding that the government should not make gambling as an avenue for generating additional revenues.

Instead, he said, the government should teach the people the value of productivity with own resources and not rely on an unproductive endeavor that encourages them to adopt a get-rich-quick attitude.

“If you want to foster something for a common good, the way is hard work and true effort in order to improve your lot in life, consequently the society," Aquino said.

Sen. Pia Cayetano warned against the proliferation of another form of illegal gambling in the country once the measure becomes a law.

“We should not add more gambling in the country,” said Cayetano.

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero also warned that he will stand against the measure once it reaches deliberation on the plenary.

“I have received mountains of letters against the construction of another form of gambling that also adds to the cruelty of animals,” said Escudero.  - Ernie Reyes

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