Law Summary
Definitions of Key Terms
- Cockfighting (Sabong): Includes derby, pintakasi, or equivalent local games.
- Cockpit (Sabungan): Enclosed or fenced premises for cockfighting licensed by the City Government.
- Cockfight (Soltada): The actual fight of two evenly matched gamecocks with bets placed.
- Derby: A special cockfight event with registered cocks competing by weight and scoring points.
- Hackfights: Ordinary fights paired by the ulutan system.
- International Derby: Cockfight event with foreign entries.
- Regular Cockfight: Cockfights held on Sundays or legal holidays.
- Special Cockfight: Cockfights on other days subject to special permit fees.
- Management: The licensed operator or operator group.
- Special Permit: Permit for cockfighting on non-standard days.
- Referee (Sentenciador): Licensed official overseeing and deciding fight outcomes.
Licensing and Operational Scope
- ROI is authorized to operate cockpit arenas at any location in Manila, with notification required for location transfers.
- Can hold special/regular cockfights and international/local derbies in owned or rented venues.
- Special permit fees apply to non-Sunday/holiday events.
Fees and Permits
- Licensee (ROI) must secure a Mayor's permit of PHP 5,000 and pay an annual business tax of PHP 10,000 before January 20 each year.
- Cockpit personnel must obtain individual permits:
- Pit Manager: PHP 1,000
- Referee: PHP 800
- Cashiers: PHP 500
- Bet Taker: PHP 100
- Bet Manager: PHP 600
- Gaffer: PHP 600
- Licensee must pay PHP 1,200 for each regular cockfight day (Sunday/legal holidays).
- Special permit fees for cockfighting events vary from PHP 1,500/day (Special Cockfights) to PHP 10,000 for International Derby.
Penalties and Duties
- Unpermitted cockpit personnel, gaffers, and bet takers face fines of PHP 5,000.
- Licensee must ensure all personnel secure permits.
Duration and Transfer of License
- The license is valid for 25 years and renewable for another 25 years.
- Transfer or assignment of rights requires prior City Council approval.
Limitations and Restrictions
- Cockpit arenas cannot be established or operated within 50 meters of hospitals, schools, or churches.
Legal Provisions
- Separability Clause preserves unaffected parts if any provision is invalidated.
- Repealing Clause abrogates inconsistent prior laws or regulations.
Compliance and Effectivity
- ROI or its assignee must comply strictly with all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations.
- Ordinance takes effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation.