ILOILO City – There won’t be cockfighting in this year’s Jaro district fiesta, popularly known as the feast of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria.
In a special session on Friday, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) denied the request of the Iloilo Sportsmen, Inc. to issue a Resolution of No Objection (RONO) for the annual Candelaria 7-Cock International Derby from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2.
The annual derby is a fiesta fixture. It draws even affluent cockfighting enthusiasts from abroad.
The RONO from the SP was required by Section 5 (d) of Presidential Decree 449 or the Cockfighting Law of 1974.
But citing also the Cockfighting Law, particularly Section 5 (paragraph b), Councilor Plaridel Nava moved to reject outright the request. He said cockfighting is not allowed during the period of voters’ registration.
There’s an ongoing voters’ registration for October’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Nava also said cockfighting does not jive with the celebration of Candelaria.
“Candelaria is a religious celebration in honor of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria. Cockfighting is not one of those being taught in the Roman Catholic religion,” he stressed.
Nava’s motion was unanimously approved by the legislative body.
Councilor Romel Duron moved to reconsider the denial of the request so it could be deliberated but his motion was denied.
He said the non-approval by the city council may have repercussions as many fiesta visitors are expected.
According to Iloilo Sportsmen, Inc.’s Luis Tinsay, aside from its cultural significance the famous Candelaria derby is considered the toughest in the world and has even evolved into a tourist attraction, thereby helping boost the local economy.
Iloilo Sportsmen, Inc. has an active franchise to operate the Iloilo Coliseum for 10 years./PN