Only 2 cockpits allowed but Cebu City has three

CEBU, Philippines - Though the law allows operation of only two cockpits in a particular city with over 100,000 population, Cebu City already has three existing cockpits and, in fact, planning to grant a franchise for another one in barangay Inayawan.

The existing cockpits here are situated in barangays Sawang Calero and Guadalupe; and on the mountain barangay of Pung-ol Sibugay.

At present, the RMI Cockpit Arena owned by Lutherlee Ignacio-Soon, daughter of Inayawan barangay captain Rustico Ignacio, is applying for a franchise with the city government.

If the City Council decides to grant franchise to RMI Cockpit Arena, the city will already have four cockpits contrary to the provisions of the Cockfighting Law of 1974.

Section 5 (b) of Presidential Decree 449 provides that “only one cockpit shall be allowed in each city or municipality, except in cities or municipalities with a population of over one hundred thousand, two cockpits may be established, maintained and operated.”

But Councilor Jose Daluz III, who sponsored the proposed ordinance for the granting of a franchise to RMI Cockpit Arena, said that in one city of Metro Manila it has more than two cockpits and that until now these have been operating.

Daluz, however, said that if somebody would want to question the operation of more than two cockpits in a particular place like here in the city, he/she can do so by filing a case in court.

Further, cockpits are to be constructed and operated within the areas prescribed in the zoning law or ordinance.

PD 449 states that although the mayors are authorized to issue licenses for the operation and maintenance of cockpits, these are subject to the approval of the chief of the Philippine National Police.

The law further provides that in the absence of such law or ordinance, the local officials shall see to it that no cockpits are constructed within or near existing residential or commercial areas, hospitals, school buildings, churches or other public buildings.

However, it was learned, that the proposed site of the cockpit to be constructed in Inayawan is located within a residential area.

Daluz said they want to ensure that Inayawan will also generate revenue with the operation of a cockpit in its jurisdiction.

A barangay councilman of Inayawan said that in other areas, barangays receive P150 fee for every “sultada” or cockfight and that he hopes such would be observed in Inayawan.

But city treasurer Ofelia Oliva said that it is the city, and not the barangays, which has the power to collect taxes from the cockpit operator at P50 for every round of ordinary cockfight, and P150 for every round of cockfight during derbies. — Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)