SOME provincial board members found the use of betting machines in cockfighting is violative of the existing law, Presidential Decree No. 449.
“The Committee finds that the continuous usage of betting machines inside the cockpit arena does not conform with the traditional form of betting and at the same time it violates the provisions of PD 449 as it is being used as a tool for commercialization among cockpit operators.”
This is one of the findings of the Good Governance committee chaired by Board member Atty. Benjie Arcamo of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Arcamo proposes the passage of the Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance Mandating the Strict Implementation of Presidential Decree 449 or the Cockfighting Law of 1974, Allowing Only Traditional “Sabong” and Traditional Form of Betting Within the Province of Bohol.”
Board Member Atty. Jami Villamor, vice-chair of said committee, said the measure is set for scrutiny or debate for second reading expected to take place next week.
But three of the cockpits, Tagbilaran, Jagna and Loon, operating ‘sabong’ are strongly opposed to the measure, according to Atty. Bryan Pelandas, representing Berama Loon Complex and DES Sports Complex in Jagna.
He said “there is nothing in the law which prohibits the use of a machine or any form of betting. As technology develops, form of betting improved, thus, this is a technological advance.”
Pelandas pointed out that what is prohibited in Executive Order No. 09, is the live- streaming or broadcasting of live cockfights outside cockpit or cockfighting arenas, or premises where cockfights are being held.
Atty. Johnson Hontanosas, who represented the “Kristos” and the “puntos,” said that PD 449 has been violated because in the contrary, they are not breaking tradition but they are introducing a breach of the tradition and tradition never contemplates of a machine operated or controlled or remote controlled or betting station-operated sabong.
He lamented that the ordinary Filipino people are now being castigated since the commission structure is higher than the five percent (5%) rate of the baccarat played in the casinos. In this scheme, sometimes they imposed twenty percent (20%) commission and the bettors are not given a fair betting chance to win since either way they always lose;
He cited an example of placing a bet in betting machine. If someone places his bet for “Inilog”, his 1,000 would win 800 and if he places his bet for “Biya”, his 1,000 would win 600. There’s a difference compared to traditional betting. He even called it “tulis sa atubang” or a “scam.” He said he’s in favor the proposed measure.
The police said PAGCOR’s opinion said that unless the electronic betting machine is used to accept bets on broadcasted or livestreamed cockfights, the activity shall be classified as E-Sabong and must therefore be prohibited.
The Provincial Legal Office opined that one of the policies of PD 449 is to remove and prevent excessive and unreasonable business operation and profit considerations in the management of cockpits and, instead preserve Philippine customs and traditions;
How a machine betting works is described this way: “a betting aficionado would go to a teller on booths located inside the cockpit arenas and if a person would bet “Biya” or “Inilog” he would inform the teller as to his bet and give the amount. The teller then gives the bet slip to the bettor.”
There are now several towns practicing this mode of betting in cockfight in the towns of Dauis, Valencia, Candijay, Bilar, Sikatuna and Getafe, aside from Tagbilaran, Loon and Jagna, the committee learned. (Ric Obedencio)
