Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 3187
Introduced by REP. EMILIO BERNARDINO L. YULO
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Presidential Decree No. 449, otherwise known as the “Cockfighting Law of
1974,” as amended by Presidential Decree Nos. 1802 and 1802-A, establishes
comprehensive regulations governing the conduct of cockfighting in the Philippines.
Under Section 5(d) of the law, cockfighting is permitted only in licensed cockpits and
limited to Sundays, legal holidays, and during local fiestas for a period not exceeding
three days. It may also be held during provincial, city, or municipal agricultural,
commercial, or industrial fairs, carnivals, or expositions for a similar period, subject
to the approval of the concerned local government unit.
Despite the clarity of the law, challenges in its implementation persist,
especially in rural areas where accredited cockpits are either unavailable or located far
from barangay communities. As a result, traditional cockfighting activities during
local barangay fiestas, important cultural and social events, are often conducted in
informal or unauthorized venues, raising concerns of legality and public safety.
This bill seeks to amend Section 5(d) of P.D. No. 449 to permit cockfighting
during barangay fiestas in temporary designated areas, provided that the dates of the
fiestas are duly certified. It proposes to grant the Barangay Chairperson the authority
to issue permits for such events, thereby recognizing local customs while reinforcing
regulatory oversight.
Moreover, the bill aims to address the issue of “tupada,” or community-based
cockfighting activities traditionally held during barangay fiestas, which technically
violate the current provisions of the law. The devolution of this authority will help
streamline enforcement and provide a practical solution aligned with local practices.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
REP. EMILIO BERNARDINO L. YULO
August 6, 2025
11:41 am


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 3187
Introduced by REP. EMILIO BERNARDINO L. YULO
AN ACT
FURTHER AMENDING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 449, ALSO
KNOWN AS THE COCKFIGHTING LAW OF 1974, AS AMENDED, AND
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1802-A, EMPOWERING THE BARANGAY
CHAIRPERSON IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN THE
REGULATION OF COCKFIGHTING DURING BARANGAY FIESTAS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 5(d) of Presidential Decree No. (PD) 449 is hereby
amended to read as follows:
"Section 5. Cockpits and Cockfighting: In General:
“(a) x x x;
“(b) x x x;
“(c) x x x;
“(d) Holding of Cockfights.—Except as provided in this Decree, cockfighting shall be
allowed only in licensed cockpits during Sundays and legal holidays and during local
fiestas for not more than three days, it may also be held during provincial, city or
municipal agricultural, commercial or industrial fair, carnival or exposition for a
similar period of three days upon resolution of the province, city or municipality
where such fair, carnival or exposition is to be held, subject to the approval of the


Chief of Constabulary or his authorized representative: Provided that, no cockfighting
on the occasion of such a fair, carnival or exposition shall be allowed with the month
of a local fiesta or for more than two occasions a year in the same city or
municipality: Provided, further, That no cockfighting shall be held on December 30
(Rizal Day), June 12 (Philippine Independence Day) November 30 (National Heroes
Day), Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Election or Referendum Day and during
Registration Days for such election or referendum.
HOWEVER, DURING BARANGAY FIESTAS, SPECIAL COCKFIGHTS
MAY BE ALLOWED FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED THREE (3) DAYS,
AND MAY BE HELD EITHER IN A LICENSED COCKPIT OR IN ANY
SECURE PLACE IN THE SAID BARANGAY IDENTIFIED AS SUITABLE
FOR COCKFIGHTING, AND WHICH GUARANTEES THE SAFETY OF
THE SPECTATORS, BETTORS, COCKFIGHTING OFFICIALS AND THE
PUBLIC; PROVIDED, THAT NO SPECIAL COCKFIGHT MAY BE HELD
MORE THAN ONCE EVERY CALENDAR YEAR IN A BARANGAY OR ON
THE DAYS IN WHICH COCKFIGHTING IS PROHIBITED AS STATED IN
THIS ACT; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT WHERE THE VENUE IS
OTHER THAN A LICENSED COCKPIT, THE BARANGAY CHAIRPERSON
SHALL SPECIFY THE PRECISE AREA IN THE BARANGAY WHERE THE
COCKFIGHTING SHALL BE HELD, FOLLOWING THE CERTIFICATION
OF THE OFFICIAL FIESTA DATES; AND PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT
THE BARANGAY IN WHICH THE SPECIAL COCKFIGHT IS HELD, MAY
IMPOSE SUCH TAXES OR FEES AS MAY BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
LOCAL REVENUE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS;
“(e) x x x; and
“(f) X X X.
SEC. 2. Section 4 of Presidential Decree No.(PD) 1802-A, is hereby amended
to read as follows:
"Sec. 4. City and Municipal Mayors with the concurrence of their respective


"Sanggunians" shall have the authority to license and regulate regular cockfighting
pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission and subject to
its review and supervision, EXCEPT IN CASES OF SPECIAL COCKFIGHTS
DURING BARANGAY FIESTAS WHERE THE VENUE IS OTHER THAN A
LICENSED COCKPIT. IN SUCH CASES, THE BARANGAY CHAIRPERSON
SHALL CERTIFY THE PRECISE AREA WHERE THE COCKFIGHTING
SHALL
BE
HELD,
FOLLOWING
THE
CERTIFICATION
OF
THE
OFFICIAL FIESTA DATES."
SEC. 3. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in
consultation with the concerned barangays in local government units, shall form a
technical working group to develop a comprehensive framework and establish the
necessary rules and regulations, for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 4. All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, rules and regulations
or parts thereof which are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 5. In the event that any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional,
the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected by such declaration.
SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,