AND ANOTHER member of the Garin political clan of the 1st District of Iloilo makes it to the 6 o’clock news, this time not on beating up or injecting humans with experimental drugs i.e. Dengvaxia, but possible animal cruelty and violation of The Animal Welfare Act of 1998 as amended y Republic Act 10631.
More specifically, Rule 6.2, Prohibition on Animal Fights – It is prohibited to subject animals to fights such as, but not limited to dog fighting, horse fighting and bull fighting.
Excerpts from the front page of the Jan. 20, 2019 issue of Panay News:
Animal group forces San Joaquin to cancel ‘pasungay’
An animal welfare group condemned the annual “pasungay” in San Joaquin, Iloilo, forcing the local government unit (LGU) to cancel the activity this year.
Pasungay – wherein carabaos owned by local farmers are pitted against each other for entertainment – is the highlight of the municipal fiesta of San Joaquin held every Jan. 19.
“Stop using tradition as an alibi,” said the Animal Kingdom Foundation, a nongovernmental organization that aims to protect and promote animal rights.
While pasungay is not a “fight to death,” it still involves animal cruelty, the group said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.
It also said that abusing animals “will not bring honor to any culture.”
On Friday, Mayor Ninfa Garin released a statement saying she will cancel pasungay this year.
If you think this is the first time the Garins have a brush with the Animal Welfare Law, think again.
Sometime in early 2000, during my watch as director of Animal Kingdom Foundation or AKF, we received reports and request for assistance from the Regional Animal Welfare Officer of the Department of Agriculture Region 6 to investigate a certain animal holding facility or mini-zoo in the Municipality of Guimbal called “Racso’s.”
The Regional Animal Welfare Officer wanted to confirm reports that there were possible violations of RA 8485 or the Animal Welfare Law committed in the said animal holding facility which would merit the cancellation of permit and closure of “Racso’s.”
So as a response AKF formed an investigating team compose of Moi, director and chief investigator, our resident veterinary expert Dr. Winston Samaniego, and AKF president Charles Wartenberg, our expert on humane zoo management as practised by the Royal London Zoo.
So off we took the first flight available for Iloilo and upon arrival immediately coordinated with the Regional Animal Welfare Officer and went straight to “Racso’s.”
Upon reaching the place we were informed that Racso’s is owned by Iloilo 1st District congressman Oscar Garin Sr. and managed by a then relatively unknown Janette Garin, now of Dengvaxia fame.
We paid the entrance fee and went in unannounced just like any other tourist and did a very thorough investigation, complete with photo documentation. As soon as we had enough information we immediately left as the security guards were already eyeing us with suspicion.
To make a long story short our joint findings were numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Law, enough grounds to cancel “Racso’s” permit and close the place till they comply.
A letter was sent the following morning to “Racso’s” informing them of the violations and the need to comply with the law or face sanctions.
At that time we were in a courtesy call with then governor Niel Tupas Sr. to discuss the enactment of a proper animal welfare ordinance for Iloilo province. The capitol press who were around got word of “Racso’s” Animal Welfare Law violations and we had a full-blown press conference on that issue. Of course it made the 6 o’clock news.
The following day while we were relaxing poolside at Hotel del Rio waiting for our ride to the airport, I got a call on my mobile from a very angry sounding man claiming to be Congressman Garin. True enough it was indeed the good congressman and he did not minced his words saying something like this, “Don’t you people know it’s an election year and you just gave the press and my opponent (I found out he was running for governor against the incumbent Niel Tupas Sr.) another issue to hurl against me.”
In all honesty we have no idea it was an election year at that time politics was the least of my concern, and I don’t live in Iloilo anyway. He lost, so maybe the issue did affect his chances.
And here’s the first brush of Mayor Ninfa Garin with regards the “pasungay.” Sometime in 2007-2008, AKF was working with Iloilo provincial veterinarian Dr. Silvino Teodosio in crafting an animal welfare ordinance for Iloilo province. The proposed ordinance sponsored by Board members Domingo Oso and the late Lilia Gonzales passed its third and final reading and the issue on what to do with the “pasungay” in San Joaquin came up.
An ocular inspection of the actual event was needed so come fiesta day together with Dr. Silvino Teodosio off we went to see an actual live “pasungay.”
True, it was not to the death but more symbolic and ceremonial. Nevertheless it is still a violation of Rule 6.2 of the Animal Welfare Law and the risk for actual animal bloody confrontation which could lead to serious injury or death was very high.
A compromise was reached that the “pasungay” be strictly regulated and not banned i.e. the handlers enforced more stringent control over the opposing animals and that the horns be dull and covered with padding and cloth.
The ordinance was finally signed by Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. making Iloilo Province the first LGU in the country with such ordinance.
I have long retired as Director of Animal Kingdom Foundation and no longer have any active involvement with the advocacy of animal welfare and just smiled when I learned and wrote about “Le Affair Pasungay.”
At the end of the day, the best welfare one can give animals is simply by not eating them. No fuss and no drama. So there. (brotherlouie16@gmail.com/PN)
