ILOILO City – The world-famous Candelaria cock derby may push through but online.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed a franchise ordinance allowing the delayed broadcast and data streaming of cock derbies or bulang in select commercial establishments.
The franchisee is the United Association of Cockpit Owners and Operators of the Philippines, Inc. (UACOOPI). It plans to establish, operate and maintain off site cockpit betting centers within the city.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said the Candelaria cock derby which is part of the Jaro district patronal fiesta may now be possible albeit this could only be carried out virtually.
The cock derby, held annually at the Iloilo Coliseum in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro, attracts thousands of patrons even outside Iloilo City.
With restrictions on people’s movements due to the coronavirus pandemic, UACOOPI aims to stream online cockfighting events in select establishments. These may include bars, clubs, restaurants and the like within the city.
The SP granted UACOOPI the franchise on Jan. 26 a week after Mayor Treñas endorsed it as “urgent”.
But with only a few days left before the Feb. 2 fiesta, it was unclear as this was being written if the franchisee would have enough time to launch an online cock derby on that day.
Also, according to Councilor Carlos “Jojo” Javellana who chairs the SP committee on games, amusement and professional sports, the franchise is valid for only one year.
A review will be required before it could be renewed or extended, he stressed.
It was Javellana’s committee which recommended to the SP the granting of the franchise to UACOOPI.
UACOOPI based in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila is a duly registered association that caters to the needs of owners, operators and promoters of cockpits and cock derbies.
Citing safety health protocols against coronavirus, Javellana said, “Apat lang ka tawo makasulod per entry unlike before nga damu-damo.”
As to the guidelines on how to conduct the onlinecockfighting, it has to go through the Games and Amusement Board and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
GAB has the continuing regulatory powers over all aspects of cockfighting as provided in Presidential Decree No. 1802 (Creating the Philippine Gamefowl Commission). It grants authority to take video, live coverage of cockfights and live stream the same, subject to terms and conditions.
During the deliberation of Javellana’s committee report, two city legislators namely Councilors Rodulph Ganzon and Frances Parcon opposed the granting of an online bulang franchise to UACOOPI./PN