Public consultation mulled on operation of 6 cockpits

CEBU, Philippines - The committee on laws of the Cebu City Council has no objection to the proposal to increase to six the number of cockpit arenas to be allowed to operate in the city, but suggested that there should be a public hearing to be conducted about the issue.

Councilor Edgardo Labella, chairman of the committee on laws, said that Section 458 of the Local Government Code empowers the local government units to authorize and issue license for the establishment, operation and maintenance of cockpits and the regulation of cockfighting.

It was Councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem who sponsored the proposed amendment of City Ordinance 1447, the ordinance that regulates the operation of cockpits in Cebu City, to increase the number of cockpits that will be allowed to operate in the city from the existing two cockpits.

If this particular move of Jakosalem will succeed, it will legalize the operation of a cockpit in barangay Inayawan that will be operated by the barangay captain’s daughter.

The Cebu City Gamefowl Commission has already endorsed the approval of an ordinance that will grant a franchise to Lutherlee Ignacio-Soon, daughter of Inayawan barangay chairman Rustico “Rustom” Ignacio, to operate the RMI Cockpit Arena for 25 years even if the city already has two existing cockpits.

The existing national Cockfighting Law provides that “Only one cockpit shall be allowed in each city or municipality, except that in cities or municipalities with a population of over 100,000 two cockpits may be established, maintained and operated.”

At present, Cebu City already has more than two cockpits that are situated in barangay Sawang Calero, another one in sitio Banawa, Guadalupe; and the third one is located in barangay Pung-ol Sibugay.

Once the city will grant a franchise to RMI Cockpit Area, its operator is required to pay P30,000 as franchise fee every year, the proposed ordinance provides. — Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)