SP oks cockfight in Lumbia, but conditional

The 20th City Council, during the 109th regular session presided over by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, has conditionally approved the application of Mr. Aevan D. Torralba, president of Lumbia CDO Sports Enthusiasts, for a special permit to conduct a derby on January 29, 2025 in line with the Chinese New Year celebration.

Councilor Jose Pepe S. Abbu Jr., in his manifestation, said that the cockpit in Lumbia has been operating using the online betting machine, which, he believes, is violative of the city’s local ordinance and even Presidential Decree 499, otherwise known as the Cockfighting Law of 1974.

The city government only allows masyada, a jargon among cockfighting aficionados, which means the traditional betting system in sabong.

Abbu suggested that the Regulatory Compliance Board keep an eye on the applicant’s compliance to the provisions of the city ordinance and called on them to oversee the conduct of the said event.

Meanwhile, Majority Floor Leader Councilor Edgar S. Cabanlas further recommended that, in granting the permit, online betting be specifically not allowed.

Games and amusement committee chair Councilor Roger Abaday welcomed the recommendations of his colleagues.