Lagon: Batas para sa sabong dapat nang baguhin

UPANG maging maayos ang pamamalakad, ipinanukala ni Ako Bisaya Rep. Sonny Lagon ang paggawa ng bagong batas na magre-regulate sa mga sabungan sa bansa.

Ayon kay Lagon ang batas para sa pangangasiwa ng mga sabungan ay ginawa pa noong 1974.

“The burgeoning industry is governed by an antiquated law that no longer conforms to the demands of the times. At present, the conduct of cockfighting is governed by Presidential Decree 449 which was issued in 1974,” ani Lagon sa House bill 2625.

Sa ilalim ng panukala ang permit para sa pagtatayo, maintenance at operasyon ng sabungan ay aaprubahan ng city o municipal mayor.

Ang local city o municipal council ang gagawa ng ordinansa para sa ipapataw na buwis at iba pang bayarin sa mga sabungan.

“Cockfighting is an ancient spectator sport. It was partly a religious and partly a political institution in ancient Athens and was continued for improving the seeds of valor in the minds of their youth. It then evolved into a common pastime without any political or religious intention,” ani Lagon.

Ang mga gaffers, referees, promoters, hosts, casadors at pit managers ay kailangang kumuha ng lisensya sa Games and Amusements Board.

“For Filipinos, sabong is more than just entertainment. The sport is considered as a very important part of the Filipino culture that dates back to 6000 years ago,” dagdag ng solon.

Ang mga lalabag ay pagmumultahin ng P30,000-P50,000 at kulong na anim na buwan hanggang anim na taon.

“Filipinos are very fond of the game that the Philippines is now generally considered as the Mecca of sport. In fact, the country had hosted the grandest of international cockfighting spectables including the ‘Olympics of Cockfighting’ as well as numerous international Gamefowl expositions.”

Ang GAB sa tulong ng Department of Interior and Local Government ang gagawa ng rules and regulations para sa pagpapatupad ng panukala kapag naging batas ito.