007JL Cockfighting in the Philippines: Where and When It Is Lawful
Cockfighting in the Philippines is lawful in licensed cockpits on Sundays, legal holidays and local fiestas of up to three days, under PD 449, with local licensing under the Local Government Code.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| 007JL Gaffer | A gaffer, or taga tari, is the person who arms fighting cocks with a gaff on either or both legs. |
| 007JL Games and Amusements Board and Its Cockfighting Role | The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) regulates professional sports and allied activities. |
| 007JL Sabong Logro | Logro is the called odds in a cockpit: the ratio the bet taker announces when the two sides are not equal, so the favoured side stakes more to win less. |
| 007JL Ruweda | The ruweda is the ring in a cockpit where a fight is held. |
| 007JL Soltada | A soltada is one fight in a cockpit: the release of two birds into the ring. |
E-sabong (online cockfighting) operations have been suspended nationwide since 2022, under Executive Order No. 9 signed on 28 December 2022 by President Marcos Jr. Cockfighting in the Philippines in a licensed cockpit is a different matter, and the law treats it separately. The 007JL lobby’s side menu has a Sabong entry, and the suspension is the reason this page lays out the lawful side only, linked back to the main sabong law section.
Where cockfighting is lawful
The Cockfighting Law of 1974 allows cockfighting in licensed cockpits only. Section 5(a) limits ownership, management and operation of cockpits to Filipino citizens not otherwise inhibited by law. Section 5(b) allows one cockpit in each city or municipality, and two where the population is over one hundred thousand.
| Rule | Section | What it sets |
|---|---|---|
| Owners | 5(a) | Filipino citizens only |
| Number of cockpits | 5(b) | One per city or municipality, two above one hundred thousand people |
| Site | 5(c) | Zoning area; away from residential areas, schools, churches |
| Licence | 6 | City or municipal mayor |
Section 5(c) puts cockpits in the areas the zoning law or ordinance prescribes. Without one, local executives see to it that none is built within or near residential or commercial areas, hospitals, school buildings, churches or other public buildings.
When cockfighting is lawful
| Occasion | Rule in Section 5 | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Sundays and legal holidays | 5(d) | Licensed cockpit |
| Local fiestas | 5(d) | Not more than three days |
| Provincial, city or municipal fair, carnival or exposition | 5(d) | Three days, on a resolution of the local body and the Chief of Constabulary’s approval; not in the month of a fiesta; not more than two occasions a year |
| Tourists, foreign dignitaries, Balikbayan, charity | 5(e) | One time a year, not exceeding three days, on resolution and authorization |
Days cockfighting is barred
Section 5(d) names the days with no cockfighting at all: December 30 (Rizal Day), June 12 (Philippine Independence Day), November 30 (National Heroes Day), Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Election or Referendum Day and registration days for such an election or referendum. Check the national and local calendar before reading any schedule as lawful.
- December 30 (Rizal Day).
- June 12 (Philippine Independence Day).
- November 30 (National Heroes Day).
- Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
- Election or Referendum Day and their registration days.
Cockfighting legal: which rules set it
Four texts answer the question of whether cockfighting is legal, and each has a different job.
- PD 449 sets the frame: where, when and who. Section 6 lets city and municipal mayors issue cockpit licences, subject to the Chief of Constabulary’s approval.
- The Local Government Code, Republic Act No. 7160, Sections 447 and 458, gives the sangguniang bayan or panlungsod the power to authorize and license cockpits and regulate cockfighting.
- The city or municipal ordinance sets everything the decree leaves open.
- Executive Order No. 9 suspends e-sabong and says traditional cockfights authorized or licensed under existing laws are not covered.
PD 449 also forbids gambling of any kind on the premises during cockfights beyond what it authorizes, Section 5(f). The people who work the pit are licensed under Section 7, as the gaffer page shows, and one fight within a cockpit’s day is the soltada fight.
What breaking the rules costs
Section 8 punishes any violation by prision correccional in its maximum period and a fine of two thousand pesos for owners, operators, gaffers, referees and bet takers, and by prision correccional or a fine of six hundred to two thousand pesos for any other offender. EO 9 also recites that PD No. 1602 prescribes stiffer penalties, so read that Decree for the current figure.
| Offender | Penalty in Section 8 |
|---|---|
| Financer, owner, manager, operator, gaffer, referee, bet taker | Prision correccional in its maximum period and a fine of two thousand pesos |
| Any other offender | Prision correccional, or a fine of not less than six hundred and not more than two thousand pesos, or both |
FAQ
Is cockfighting legal in the Philippines?
Yes, in licensed cockpits under PD 449, the Cockfighting Law of 1974. Section 1 of EO 9 confirms that traditional cockfights authorized or licensed under existing laws are not covered by the e-sabong suspension.
On which days may cockfights be held?
Section 5(d) of PD 449 allows them in licensed cockpits on Sundays, legal holidays and local fiestas for not more than three days, with fair and exposition days on a resolution and approval.
On which days is cockfighting not allowed?
Section 5(d) bars it on December 30, June 12, November 30, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Election or Referendum Day and registration days for them.
Related guides
| Guide | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 007JL Gaffer | gaffer |
| 007JL Games and Amusements Board and Its Cockfighting Role | games and amusements board |
| 007JL Sabong Logro | sabong logro |
| 007JL Ruweda | ruweda |
| 007JL Soltada | soltada |