Cockfighting Law Of 1974

Case Overview and Summary

Cockfighting Law of 1974

Declaration of Policy (Section 3):
- Effectively control and regulate cockfighting as a national recreation, relaxation, and entertainment.
- Provide additional revenue for tourism.
- Remove excessive business operation and profit considerations in cockpits, and preserve Philippine customs and traditions.

Definitions (Section 4):
- Cockfighting: The game commonly known as "cockfighting derby, pintakasi or tupada".
- Zoning Law or Ordinance: Legislation that arranges and prescribes land uses.
- Bet Taker or Promoter: A person who takes bets and distributes winnings.
- Gaffer: A person who arms fighting cocks with gaffs.
- Referee: A person who oversees the cockfight and determines the winner.
- Bettor: A person who bets on the cockfight.

Cockpits and Cockfighting (Section 5):
- Only Filipino citizens can own, manage, and operate cockpits.
- Only one cockpit per city/municipality, except two for cities/municipalities with over 100,000 population.
- Cockpits must be constructed in appropriate areas, not near residential, commercial, or public buildings.
- Cockfighting allowed only in licensed cockpits on Sundays, legal holidays, and local fiestas (up to 3 days).
- Also allowed during fairs, carnivals, or expositions (up to 3 days), but not more than twice a year.
- Prohibited on certain national holidays and election days.
- Allowed for entertainment of foreign dignitaries, tourists, or "Balikbayans", or for charitable purposes (up to 3 days, once a year).
- No other gambling allowed on cockpit premises during cockfights.

Licensing of Cockpits (Section 6):
- City and municipal mayors can issue licenses for cockpits, subject to approval by the Chief of Constabulary.
- Ordinances may be promulgated for taxes and fees.

Cockfighting Officials (Section 7):
- Gaffers, referees, and bet takers/promoters must be licensed annually by the city/municipality.
- License fee not more than ₱20.

Penal Provisions (Section 8):
- Violation by financers, owners, managers, operators, gaffers, referees, or bet takers: Prision correccional maximum period and ₱2,000 fine.
- Violation by others: Prision correccional or ₱600-₱2,000 fine, or both.

Repealing Clause (Section 9):
- Repeals or modifies inconsistent laws, decrees, rules, regulations, or orders.