A political earthquake is shaking the country as an explosive leaked video allegedly shows former President Rodrigo Duterte embracing gambling kingpin Atong Ang — the same man believed to be at the heart of the billion-peso e-Sabong network Duterte claimed to have shut down.

In the now-viral clip, believed to be taken discreetly during a private gathering, Duterte is seen in what appears to be a familiar, even affectionate hug with Atong Ang — a man he once distanced himself from in public, amid growing outrage over the devastating effects of e-Sabong on Filipino families.

The public reaction? Fury. Disgust. Betrayal.

“This is not just a hug — this is a slap to the face of every grieving Filipino family.”

Social media exploded within minutes of the footage surfacing. Hashtags like “#DigongBetrayedUs” and “#SabongScam” trended within hours. Netizens pointed out the hypocrisy of Duterte’s dramatic shutdown of e-Sabong in 2022, after months of horrific reports involving gambling addiction, family breakups, and even disappearances.

“Akala namin galit siya sa e-Sabong. Akala namin para sa bayan yung desisyon. Pero ngayon, ano ’to? Yakapan?” said one furious post.

Others called the video a “mask-off moment” revealing what they’ve long suspected — that Duterte’s war against e-Sabong was never about protecting the people, but rather a calculated move to eliminate rivals while protecting favored operators.

Dirty Ties? Whispers of Secret Backroom Deals

Sources familiar with e-Sabong operations claim that even after Duterte’s public ban, select online gambling hubs linked to Ang continued running under different fronts, shielded by layers of dummy corporations and political protection.

“There were never real intentions to dismantle the e-Sabong empire — just to rebrand it and centralize control,” an insider claimed. “This video may be the smoking gun.”

The possibility that Duterte’s public crackdown may have been a smokescreen for a deeper, hidden partnership with Atong Ang is sparking calls for a full-blown Senate investigation.

Deafening Silence from Duterte Camp

As the video continues to circulate, neither Duterte nor Atong Ang has issued a statement. Key allies in Congress, who once praised Duterte’s supposed moral stand on gambling, have gone eerily silent, dodging press inquiries and refusing interviews.

Palace insiders reportedly described the situation as a “communications nightmare” — with some urging Duterte to either deny or legally challenge the video’s authenticity to prevent further damage. But so far, nothing.

The longer the silence, the louder the anger grows.

“Families lost everything — and now this?”

For many, the scandal hits close to home. Stories are resurfacing online of suicides, bankruptcies, and destroyed families due to e-Sabong addiction — a crisis Duterte publicly vowed to end.

“People died. People lost everything. And now we find out he might’ve been hugging the man behind it all? Hindi ito simpleng tsismis — ito ay pambabastos sa sambayanang Pilipino,” said one grieving father whose son took his life over sabong debts.

Could This Lead to Criminal Charges?

Legal experts say the implications could be massive. If proven true, the video could trigger a series of investigations into corruption, betrayal of public trust, and concealment of criminal activity. Even Duterte’s post-presidency immunity could be challenged if there is evidence of collusion in illegal operations.

“An embrace might seem harmless — but in this context, it could be evidence of a deep, systemic betrayal,” one former government prosecutor noted.

Is This the Beginning of the End?

With national outrage reaching fever pitch and silence from both men involved, some observers say this scandal could be the biggest blow to Duterte’s legacy since the bloody controversies of the drug war.

What was once seen as a firm stand against gambling and corruption may now unravel as a carefully staged illusion — and the hug that triggered it may become the symbol of ultimate betrayal.