Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

House Bit No. 11133

Introduced by REP. EMILIO BERNARDINO L. YULO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Presidential Decree No. 449, also known as the Cockfighting Law of 1974, as amended,
by Presidential Decrees Nos. 1802 and 1802-A establishes strict regulations regarding the
holding of cockfights in the Philippines. Under Sec. 5(d) of P.D. 449, cockfighting is
permitted only in licensed cockpits during Sundays, legal holidays, and local fiestas for a
period not exceeding three days. Additionally, cockfighting may be conducted during
provincial, city, or municipal agricultural, commercial, or industrial fairs, carnivals, or
expositions for a similar period of three days, subject to approval by the local government unit
and the Chief of Constabulary or his authorized representative. The law also prohibits
cockfighting 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 elections or referendum.

Despite established laws, issues remain with enforcing this law, particularly in local
government units where accredited cockpits are either inaccessible or located far away from
barangays. These logistical issues limit the ability of local communities to engage in
traditional cockfighting activities during local fiestas, which are significant to their cultural
and social celebrations.

This proposed measure seeks to address these challenges by amending Sec. 5(d) of
Presidential Decree No. 449 to allow cockfighting during local barangay fiestas in temporary
designated areas. The amendments give the Barangay Chairperson the authority to issue
permits for special cockfighting events, provided that the official dates of the fiesta are
certified.



This bill likewise seeks to resolve the issue of traditionally permitted tupada during
barangay fiestas, which are often held outside licensed cockpits and in other public areas.
Apparently, these activities violate the strict letter of PD 449, as cockfights are allowed only in
licensed cockpits. This legislation will grant the Barangay Chairperson the authority to issue
permits, thereby strengthening the regulatory framework for special cockpits and cockfighting
activities at the barangay level. This devolution of authority will ensure more effective control
and enforcement of regulations during special cockfighting events.

In view of the urgency of the issues involved in cockfighting and its legal framework,
the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Ly
REP. E! BERN: iO L. YULO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no1113 8

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

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:

“@) x05

S(O) xxx;

“(O) xxx;

“(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) xxx; and

“XXX.

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 concemed 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,