Ombudsman on cockfighting event: Enough grounds to probe Garcia

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas found adequate grounds to proceed with the administrative and criminal investigation into a complaint filed against Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia and then Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) chief Antonietto Cañete in connection with a series of cockfighting events in a hotel last year.

Along with this, the anti-graft office ordered the two officials to file their counter-affidavits in response to the complaint filed by Kristian Hassamal, a former city official and ally of former mayor Mike Rama.

“Finding enough basis to proceed with the criminal and administrative investigation of these cases, above-named respondents are hereby ordered to file their counter-affidavits and other controverting evidence to the said complaint filed by KRISTIAN I. HASSAMAL,” reads part of the order obtained by The Freeman, dated January 24, 2025.

Garcia and Cañete were given 10 days from receipt to respond.

In the order, Garcia was addressed as acting mayor of Cebu City and Cañete was addressed as acting director of CCPO.

“Failure to comply as herein directed within the period prescribed by the rules, shall be deemed a waiver of the right to present the party's counter-affidavit or reply-affidavit, and the investigation shall proceed according to existing rules,” the Ombudsman emphasized.

The Freeman tried to get both Garcia and Cañete’s side, but only the latter responded as of press time.

Cañete initially responded with “Sub judice,” or not allowed to discuss it publicly, but later clarified that he has not yet received such an order from the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Wala oy... wala gyud ko kadawat," said Police Colonel Cañete.

Cañete, who briefly served as CCPO chief as Garcia’s choice, had been replaced by Police Colonel Enrico Figueroa last month.

Hassamal’s complaint was based on the opinion of the Cebu City Legal Office (CLO) issued on March 20, which addressed Garcia’s inquiry about the proper processes for granting Ox KBDF Gaming a special permit to hold a cock derby inside a hotel at the South Road Properties on April 21, 2024.

In Hassamal’s affidavit, it was cited that the CLO had indicated that the event aligned with the existing city ordinance; however, necessary permits must be obtained first.

Hassamal alleged that on April 23, then-acting mayor Garcia issued a “Letter of No Objection” (LONO) to Ox KBDF's request for a special permit to hold a cock derby inside the hotel on May 23 and 24.

The Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) reportedly then issued a special permit on May 10, but with an attached condition that the organizer submit a City Council resolution approving the event, a police clearance, and payment for the special permit fees.

In July, the same organizer reportedly requested the issuance of another permit for a seven-stag derby, still inside the same hotel, this time for a period of three days.

In response to the said request, Garcia issued another LONO, which was attached to a letter request addressed to Cañete on Aug. 15. The letter included an endorsement from the CCPO.

Hassamal said that just like the previous event, the BPLO issued a special permit, this time on Aug. 19, with the same conditions it set for the May event.

A few months later, another request for a special permit was made by the same organizer, this time for a much longer event, from October 11 to 18.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod reportedly denied this request, but the event proceeded, accordingly.

Hassamal cited multiple provisions and guidelines for holding cockfighting events, arguing that the organizers allegedly violated Presidential Decree 449, or the Cockfighting Law of 1974, as well as Cebu City Ordinance No. 1447 of 1993, as amended.

Among the violations Hassamal enumerated were that the venue of the cockfighting events was not a licensed cockpit; the events were held on weekdays; there was no resolution from the Gamefowl Commission; no approval from the City Council; no special permit from the Gamefowl Commission; no prior concurrence from the barangay; and the allowed number of days to hold cockfights within the year had already been exceeded.

Aside from that, Hassamal also attached some pieces of evidence in his complaints regarding the conduct of these cockfighting events.

Apart from Garcia, Hassamal included P/Col. Cañete in his complaints of grave misconduct and violations of Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees), Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code, and Sections 3(e) and 3(j) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. – ATO (CEBU NEWS)