MANILA, Philippines — The mayor of Sindangan town in Zamboanga del Norte, four barangay captains and a village secretary have been dismissed from the service over illegal cockfights.
In a 10-page decision dated May 16, 2023 but released only on Monday, the ombudsman said Mayor Rosendo Labadlabad was found guilty of grave misconduct.
Also dismissed were Antonio Mohametano of Barangay Bago, Zosima dela Cerna of Calatunan, Joselito Espinas of Ramon Magsaysay and Myzandro Dagondong of Mandih as well as barangay treasurer Rebecca Lafuente of Bago.
The six officials were meted the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of civil service eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits.
The dismissal stemmed from a complaint filed in 2021 in connection with Labadlabad’s issuance of permits to hold small-scale cockfights, locally known as tari-tari, in the concerned barangays for their fiesta celebration. The events were held outside the licensed cockpit in the town proper.
The ombudsman said Labadlabad and the barangay officials violated Presidential Decree No. 449, which states that cockfighting shall be allowed only in licensed cockpits.
It also cited Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code, which prohibits local officials from holding any interest in a cockpit or other gaming operations by a local government unit.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos was directed to implement the dismissal order within 10 days from receipt of a copy of the decision.
Labadlabad was a former representative of the second district of Zamboanga del Norte. He is the current president of the Zamboanga del Norte League of Municipalities.
His wife, Glona, is the representative of the second district of Zamboanga del Norte.
In a statement, Labadlabad and the barangay officials maintained that the holding of tari-tari was “regular, valid and legal.” They said concerned barangay councils passed respective resolutions to hold the event as part of the fiesta celebration.
Labadlabad had earlier said the complaint was politically motivated since it was filed by his rival Leoncio Orillosa.