QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 318)
Executive Order No. 318 was promulgated by the President under the powers vested by Commonwealth Act No. 601, which regulates the establishment, maintenance, and operation of places of amusement in chartered cities and municipal districts.
Cockfighting may take place only in licensed cockpits, only upon legal holidays other than Rizal Day, and for a period not exceeding three (3) days during the celebration of the town fiesta as fixed by the Municipal Council.
No cockpit may be constructed or permitted to operate within a radius of 1,000 lineal meters from the city hall or municipal building, provincial building, public plaza, public school, church, hospital, athletic stadium, public park, or any institution of learning or of charity.
A permit shall not be issued for the construction or operation of a cockpit on a lot not provided with sufficient space for parking, and public roads or highways shall not be used for such purpose.
The owner/concessionaire must apply for a permit from the treasurer of the city (if authorized by its charter) or from the Provincial Treasurer (for municipalities/municipal districts). No permit is issued without (1) a certificate from the City or District Engineer certifying suitability of the building and (2) a certificate from the City or District Health Officer certifying sanitary condition of the building, and only after required fees/taxes are first paid.
The owner/concessionaire must also obtain a license from the treasurer of the city, municipality, or municipal district concerned.
A municipal license tax of not less than PHP 200 annually or PHP 50 quarterly, and PHP 0.25 for every cockfight held.
Yes. Existing ordinances prescribing higher fees than PHP 200 annually or PHP 50 quarterly remain in force until otherwise provided by the President. Additionally, a city or municipal council may impose a higher fee upon approval of the President.
Any person may file a protest with the Secretary of the Interior.
After proper investigation, the Secretary of the Interior may decide the case or cancel the permit and license.
No card game or games of chance of any kind shall be permitted in the premises of a cockpit.
No person under 18 years of age may be allowed within the premises. No person under the influence of liquor may be allowed to enter or stay in the premises.
Except for the referee, the respective asoltadores and other employees not exceeding four (4), no person shall be allowed to stay within the ring during any cockfight. Peace officers may enter or stay if necessary to maintain peace and order.
No intoxicating liquor of any kind shall be sold in the cockpit premises or within 100 lineal meters from the cockpit enclosure. No firearm or deadly weapon may be carried within the premises, except by peace officers in the due performance of official duties.
Any violation is sufficient cause for revocation by the Secretary of the Interior of the permit granted and forfeiture of the license issued.
Any action of the City, Provincial, or Municipal Treasurer under paragraphs three and four may be appealed to the Secretary of the Interior, whose decision shall be final.
Cockpits operating on January 1, 1941 that are within the prohibited zones/distances in paragraph two are given one year’s notice to close, transfer, or otherwise comply. The Secretary of the Interior, with the approval of the President, may authorize continuance in special cases for justifiable reasons.