Question & AnswerQ&A (MANILA CITY ORDICE NO. 8395)
Section 458 (a) (3) (v) of Republic Act 7160, known as The Local Government Code of 1991, authorizes the Sangguniang Panlungsod to grant franchises and issue licenses for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of cockpits, and regulate cockfighting and commercial breeding of gamecocks.
The Royal Octadome, Inc. (ROI) is authorized and granted a license to establish, operate, and maintain a cockpit arena anywhere in the City of Manila.
Cockpit (Sabungan) is defined as the properly enclosed or fenced premises or compound with gated points of entrance and exit, licensed for holding cockfighting derbies, pintakasi, or equivalent cockfighting events.
The licensee must secure a Mayor’s permit with a fee of PhP 5,000.00 and pay an annual Business Tax of PhP 10,000.00, both payable on or before January 20 each year. Additionally, fees apply for regular and special cockfighting events and for personnel permits.
They shall be penalized with a fine of Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 5,000.00).
A Regular Cockfight is a cockfight held on Sundays and allowable legal holidays. A Special Cockfight is a cockfight permitted and allowed by the local government unit on days other than Sundays and legal holidays upon payment of special permit fees.
No cockpit arena shall be established or operated within 50 meters from hospitals, schools, and churches.
A fee of Ten Thousand Pesos (PhP 10,000.00) per derby must be paid for holding an International Derby.
The Referee (Sentenciador) is a person licensed by the City Government authorized to oversee the cockfight progress, decide, and declare the winner or a draw.
The license is effective for twenty-five (25) years and renewable for another twenty-five (25) years. Transfer or assignment of rights requires prior authority from the Sangguniang Panlungsod, and transfer of venue requires notice to the City Government.