PROPOSED BILL FOR A NATIONAL LICENSING BODY FOR KEY COCKPIT PERSONNEL

PROPOSED BILL FOR A NATIONAL LICENSING AGENCY
FOR KEY COCKPIT PERSONNEL

WHEREAS, the Philippine Gamefowl Commision was created by virtue of Presidential Decree 1802 in January 16, 1981;


WHEREAS, one of the powers of the Philippine Gamefowl Commision was, to wit :

Section 2. Powers and Functions of the Commission. — The Commission shall have the following powers, functions and duties: e) To promulgate rules and regulations relative to the holding, methods, procedures, operations and conduct of cockfighting in general as well as accreditation of cockpit personnel and association of cockpit owners, operators and lessees, to elevate the standard of cockfighting


WHEREAS, the Philippine Gamefowl Commision was devolved and its powers and functions were transferred to the Local Governments Units and the Games & Amusement Board by virtue of the Local Government Code;


WHEREAS, the Local Government Code, in TITLE TWO, Article Three, SEC. 447, No. 3, Paragraph (v) states :

TITLE TWO. - THE MUNICIPALITY
Article Three. - The Sangguniang Bayan
SEC. 447. - Powers, Duties, Functions and Compensation. - (a) The sangguniang bayan, as the legislative body of the municipality, shall enact ordinances, approve resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the municipality and its inhabitants pursuant to Section 16 of this Code and in the proper exercise of the corporate powers of the municipality as provided for under Section 22 of this Code, and shall:
(3) Subject to the provisions of Book II of this Code, grant franchises, enact ordinances authorizing the issuance of permits or licenses, or enact ordinances levying taxes, fees and charges upon such conditions and for such purposes intended to promote the general welfare of the inhabitants of the municipality, and pursuant to this legislative authority shall:
(v) Any law to the contrary notwithstanding, authorize and license the establishment, operation, and maintenance of cockpits, and regulate cockfighting and commercial breeding of gamecocks: Provided, That existing rights should not be prejudiced;

WHEREAS, the implementation of the Local Government Code’s provision with regards to cockfighting leaves so much to be desired, especially on the accreditation of cockpit personnel;

WHEREAS, an erring cockpit personnel, more particularly a cockfights referee or sentenciador, who commits an error or a grave offense such as cheating in a cockpit or a municipality, if suspended or dismissed, would just transfer to another cockpit or another town to continue his trade;

WHEREAS, sentenciadors and other cockpit personnel are subservient to the cockpit owners & operators and are helpless or weak against influential cockers or corrupt palyers;

WHEREAS, to be able to discipline or penalize an undesirable cockpit employee is for him/her to be banned from working in any cockpit all over the country;

WHEREAS, a national regulation and licensing body is needed to extensively and fairly implement the rules, as well as monitor and police the cockpit workers’ pool;

WHEREAS, proper screening, testing, pre-qualification process and accreditation of cockpit personnel are essential in ensuring the fairness of the Game;

WHEREAS, the Games & Amusement Board has inherited the powers of the Philippine Gamefowl Commission in the issuance of permit for international derbies and supervision of such events;

WHEREAS, a huge number of employees from the Philippine Gamefowl Commission has been transferred to the Games & Amusement Board;

WHEREAS, the Games & Amusement Board maintains and runs its Cockfighting Division and is the most qualified national agency to conduct proper screening, accreditation and licensing of cockpit personnel:

WHEREAS, most of these former Philippine Gamefowl Commission employees are able to perform their duties only when there are international derbies being staged which is at the most are only a maximum of six per year;

NOW THEREFORE, with all the mentioned considerations considered, it is hereby resolved that the powers and functions of the Games & Amusement Board be expanded, so as to be the national licensing body for key cockpit personnel all over the country.