LEGAL OPINION ON THE PRESENT COCKFIGHTING REGULATIONS AND

POLICY

1. An emphasis shall be made thereon regarding to the number of cockpits

permitted to operate within the cities and municipalities. Such policy is
accordance to Presidential Decree No. 1310 or “Amending Presidential
Decree No. 449, otherwise known as The Cockfighting Act of 1974”. Which
reads:
Section 1. Section (5) b of Presidential Decree No. 449 is hereby amended to
read as follows:
“(b) Establishment of Cockpits. Only one cockpit shall be allowed in each city or
municipality: Provided, however, that in cities and municipalities with a population
of more than one hundred thousand, two cockpits may be established,
maintained and operated in the Poblacion and one in each city or town district.”

2. That Pagadian City shall incorporate in its implementation, the provision in

Executive Order No. 318, signed by Former President Quezon on January 24,
1941 regarding to the prohibition against the minors and persons under the
influence of intoxicating liquor. Selling of intoxicating liquor near the cockpit
premises shall also be prohibited. Which reads:
“7. No person under the age of eighteen years shall be allowed within the
premises of any cockpit; neither shall any person under the influence of liquor be
allowed to enter or stay in said premises.
9. No intoxicating liquor of any kind shall be sold in the premises of any cockpit
nor within a distance of one hundred lineal meters from the cockpit enclosure;
neither shall any firearm or, any deadly weapon be permitted to be carried within
the premises thereof, except by peace officers in the due performance of official
duties.”

3. That Pagadian City, in relation to paragraph d, Section 9 of Provincial

Ordinance No. 032-2020, “An Ordinance Regulating the Grant of Franchise
and Operation of Cockpits in The Province of Zamboanga del Sur and for
Other Purposes” should ONLY allow the operation of REGULAR
COCKFIGHTING during Sundays as specified in Paragraph d, Section 5 of
Cockfighting Law of 1974. Which reads:
“(d) Holding of Cockfights. Except as provided in this Decree, cockfighting shall
be allowed only in licensed cockpits during Sundays and legal holidays and
during local fiestas for not more than three days. It may also be held during
provincial, city or municipal, agricultural, commercial or industrial fair, carnival or
exposition for a similar period of three days upon resolution of the province, city
or municipality where such fair, carnival or exposition is to be held, subject to the
approval of the Chief of Constabulary or his authorized representative: Provided,
that, no cockfighting on the occasion of such fair, carnival or exposition shall be
allowed within the month of a local fiesta or for more than two occasions a year in
the same city or municipality: Provided, further, that no cockfighting shall be held
on December 30 (Rizal Day), June 12 (Philippine Independence Day) November
30 (National Heroes Day), Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Election or Referendum
Day and during Registration Days for such election or referendum.”