Capiz guv breaks silence on FB cockfighting video BY GLENN BEUP

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BY GLENN BEUP
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ROXAS City – Capiz governor Antonio del Rosario broke his silence over the short video posted online showing him seated on the front row of a cockfight at the New Ports Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila.

Facebook user Hudeo Eskaryote II posted the 23-second clip on Nov. 30.

On Dec. 4, Eskaryote shared the full version of the video uploaded by the 018 World Pitmasters Cup 9-Cock International Derby-Plus Facebook account on Nov. 20.

According to del Rosario, he was already a cockfighting aficionado before he entered politics.

In 1968, he became a cockpit manager and started engaging in game fowl breeding, del Rosario said.

“In my 45 years in public service, I did not hide anything about my fondness for cockfights. It’s my therapy,” del Rosario told Panay News.

Del Rosario started his political career in the early 70s as the village chief of Barangay Dayao in this capital city. Then he became a city councilor, vice mayor, mayor, representative of the 1st District of Capiz, and now governor.

Del Rosario said he visited the cockpit arena in Manila to give invitations to cockfight enthusiasts there.

The invitations were for the cock derby in the Capiztahan celebration in April next year, he added.

“Ginarespeto ako sang mga bulangero amo nga dali lang mangimbitar sa ila nga magakadto sa Capiz para sa aton promosyon sang One Capiz sa palaabuton nga Capiztahan,” said del Rosario.

The governor added that his family has been involved in the game fowl business and “visiting cockpits is how you deal business.”

“I don’t see anything wrong with that. What is wrong is when you are use government resources,” del Rosario stressed.

The controversial clip circulated on social media a few days after Roxas City mayor Angel Alan Celino railed against del Rosario and called him “lawlaw” (lame).

Celino’s comment came after del Rosario said the city government must not avail itself of a loan for the construction of a public market in Barangay Lawaan.

In the comments section of the Facebook post, some netizens suspected that it was Celino’s camp that posted the clip.

Celino has yet to comment on the allegation./PN
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