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Monitoring of Cockpits Operations and Conduct of Cockfighting Activities   

The Philippine Cockfighting Law of 1974, also known as Presidential Decree No. (PD) 449, lays out the rules for legal cockfighting activities. It restricts ownership and operation of cockpits to Filipino citizens and encourages cooperative ownership.

While cockfighting is allowed on Sundays, holidays, and local fiestas with limitations on days and locations, gambling is strictly prohibited within cockpits during fights. The law also requires licenses for officials like referees and bet-takers and gives local governments the power to further regulate cockfighting within their jurisdictions.

Section 447 (3) (v) and Section 458 (3) (v) of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, provide that local government units (LGUs) shall authorize and license the establishment, operation, and maintenance of cockpits, and regulate cockfighting and commercial breeding of gamecocks, provided that existing rights should not be prejudiced.

With the lifting of the public health emergency in the Philippines due to the COVID-19, Proclamation No. 297 was issued by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., related issuances during the pandemic were withdrawn, revoked, or canceled.

As such, it is necessary to ensure that the laws and policies, pre- pandemic situation, are reiterated.

General Guidelines

Pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160), particularly Section 17, Article 1, which empowers LGUs to enact ordinances to ensure the proper exercise of their corporate powers and to promote the general welfare of the inhabitants of the LGU, LGUs, exercising sound judgment, shall have the authority to decide whether ot alow the operation of licensed cockpits and the conduct of cockfighting activities within their jurisdiction. This decision must comply with the guidelines set forth by the National Government.

In accordance with Section 447 (3) (v) and Section 458 (3) (v) of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, LGUs are authorized to:

• Grant licenses for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of cockpits;

• Regulate cockfighting activities within their jurisdiction; and 

• Regulate the commercial breeding of gamecocks.

• LGUs shall ensure that any cockfighting activities shall be allowed

• only ni licensed cockpits, or in playgrounds, or parks, in accordance with Section 5(d) and Section 5(e) of PD 449.

• LGUs shall ensure that any local regulations enacted do not prejudice existing rights. LGUs may enact additional regulations provided that the same are not inconsistent with national guidelines.

Roles and Responsibilities of Local Governments Units

Sanggunian Panlungsod/Pambayan

• Pursuant to Section 447(a)(3)(v) of the Local Government Code (LGC), the Sanggunian shall enact ordinances authorizing and licensing the establishment, operation, and maintenance of cockpits within their jurisdiction. LGUs shall ensure that any cockfighting activities shall be allowed only ni licensed cockpits, or ni playgrounds, or parks, ni accordance with Section 5(d) and Section 5(e) of PD 449. LGUs shall ensure that any local regulations enacted do not prejudice existing rights. LGUs may enact additional regulations provided that the same are not inconsistent with national guidelines.

• The Sanggunian shall pass resolutions in support of a special permit application on the holding of cockfights during provincial, city, municipal, agricultural, commercial, industrial fairs, carnivals, or expositions for a period of only three days. This wil be subject to the approval of the Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) or his authorized representative.

City and Municipal Mayors

• City and Municipal Mayors must conduct regular inspections of these cockpits to verify adherence to established protocols

• City and Municipal Mayors shall coordinate with the PNP to ensure the strict enforcement of established guidelines and regulations related to cockfighting. This includes imposing sanctions, including suspension or revocation of permits, on cockpits found violating regulations, among others.

Provincial Governors

• The Provincial Government shal provide close supervision and technical assistance ot component cities and municipalities within their jurisdiction regarding the implementation of these guidelines. This includes ensuring proper cockfighting regulation according ot national and local guidelines.

Punong Barangays

• Punong Barangays, shall assist City and Municipal Mayors ni monitoring cockfighting activities within their barangays.

• They shall report any observed violations to the proper authorities.

Continued Suspension of E-Sabong Operations:

• Unless a new order or policy is issued, al E-Sabong operations, including auxiliary E-Sabong operations and off-cockpit betting station operations, are hereby prohibited nationwide, pursuant to Executive Order No. 9, series of 2022 and related directives from relevant government agencies. The same has been enforced in DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2023-030.

• 5.2. LGUs shall ensure strict compliance with the E-Sabong suspension within their jurisdiction. This includes monitoring activities related to live- streaming/broadcasting of cockfights outside authorized cockpits and online/remote wagering on live cockfighting events, as wel as coordination with the PNP, for enforcement.

Legal Bases / References

• MC 2024 - 109 Reminders on the Operations of Cockpits and the Conduct of Cockfighting Activities

• MC 2022 - 003 Guidelines on the Resumption of Cockpit Operations or Cockfighting in Areas under Alert Level 2 or Lower

• Pagpapayo 2023.08.18 Pagbabawi at Pagkansela ng Pagsusumite ng mga Panrehiyong Ulat Para sa Programa Kaugnay ang Covid - 19