Changing its position, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) during a second special session yesterday approved the cockfighting from today until Feb. 3.
It issued a Resolution of No Objection (RONO) to Iloilo Sportsmen, Inc., the Candelaria derby impresario.
Four councilors, however, stood pat on their position against the derby – Plaridel Nava, Rudolf Ganzon, Alan Zaldivar, and Frances Parcon-Torres.
Those who reconsidered their earlier stance against the cockfighting were councilors Candice Magdalane Tupas, Irene Ong, Sedfrey Cabaluna, Ely Estante, Jhonny Young, Miguel Treñas, Leila Luntao, Rex Marcus Sarabia, and Urminico Baronda.
As chairman of the SP committee on games and amusement, Councilor Romel Duron sponsored the resolution.
During their first special session on Jan. 27, the SP denied the RONO request of lloilo Sportsmen, Inc. for a cock derby from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, citing the provision of the Cockfighting Law that it is not allowed if there is an ongoing Commission on Elections’ voters’ registration.
The voters’ registration ended yesterday, Jan. 31.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas requested the SP to hold another special session to reconsider their earlier decision, noting that cockfighting is a Jaro fiesta tradition.
The annual derby is a fiesta fixture. It draws even affluent cockfighting enthusiasts from abroad.
Those who voted in favor of the resolution believed there was no more legal impediment because the voter’s registration already ended.
“Sang last nga session I think the derby dates were Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 and the main contention didto was that may conflict siya sa PD (Presidential Decree) 449. So kung i-grant ang RONO Feb. 1 to 3, wala na sang legal impediment. I don’t think nga may flip-flop kay consistent sa gihapon ang stand sang council because it was a legal issue,” Sarabia explained.
Young and Cabaluna also shared the same views.
“It just became clear nga kung Feb. 1 to 3, then it is no longer violative legally of any (rules) sa paghiwat sang cockfighting kay, ti, isa sa legal impediment didto is dapat wala sang bulang nga gakatabu kung election (registration)… so kung lantawon naton wala sang legal impediment,” Cabaluna said.
But Nava disagreed.
“Whether they change the date on the prohibition of PD 449 for me is immaterial. They have already conducted two cockfights… and now they are asking to be, in sum, five days,” said Nava.
He was referring to the alleged cockfighting activities held at the Iloilo Coliseum from Jan. 30 to 31 despite having no RONO from the SP. Relative to this, the SP passed a separate resolution calling for a legislative inquiry.
“That is an open defiance and disrespect of the rule of law. These people, whoever they are that hold the derby, feel that they are above the law, they are the law. This is a slap on the faces of the government, our mayor, the police, and all councilors,” Nava stressed.
Ganzon, for his part, clarified that as chairman of the committee on tourism, he does not discourage the holding of cockfighting activities.
However, he questioned why the applicant applied at the last-minute.
“Kon sila ga-preparar sa pagpabulang ngaa indi nila mapreparahan sang ensakto nga proseso nga maka-apply sila ahead of time,” said Ganzon.
“It is their failure to come up with their resolution, ano ni salig na lang, manduan kami nila second (special) session… Ang akon punto dira, there is proper application regardless kon ano boto sang konseho. They didn’t even show up. For me, it’s a consistent ‘no,’” he added.
Zaldivar, meanwhile, said he consulted his friends and family.
“I guess I have to stand up and be firmed with my decision and I know for sure the city mayor understands. It’s not for anything else, but clearly naka-anchor lang gid sa mga technical reasons and personal conviction nakon,” he added./PN