ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas requested the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) to hold another special session today to reconsider an earlier decision rejecting the holding of the traditional cockfighting for this year’s Jaro district fiesta.
The Jaro fiesta, also known as the feast of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria, is held every Feb. 2.
“Ang akon man lang is part ini sang tradition ta, alalayan ta lang,” said Treñas.
During its Jan. 27 special session, the SP denied the Resolution of No Objection (RONO) requested by Iloilo Sportsmen, Inc. to hold 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.
It was Councilor Plaridel Nava who moved to reject outright the request. He said cockfighting is not allowed during the period of voters’ registration, citing the Cockfighting Law, particularly Section 5 (paragraph b).
The ongoing voters’ registration for October’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections will end today.
“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.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Commission on Elections (Comelec) regional director, Atty. Dennis Ausan, he said the SP committee on games and amusement chaired by Councilor Romel Duron sought his opinion on the issue.
Not pre-empting the content of his reply through a written communication, Ausan said this will be tackled during today’s special session.
Treñas endorsed the request of Iloilo Sportsmen, Inc. president and general manager Luis Tinsay last week.
“Part na sang tradition ta. Naga-alalabot na di’ ang lain-lain nga mga bisita from iban nga lugar like Negros, Manila, even abroad. Nagkadto di para sa biggest cockfighting derby,” said Treñas.
Aside from RONO for the Jaro fiesta cockfighting, the SP is also expected to tackle today the approval of a bank loan of the city government and the confirmation of Cesar Jalbuena as new city assessor./PN
