ILOILO CITY – The annual Candelaria 7-Cock International Derby here pushed through on Wednesday, Feb. 1, ahead of the Jaro fiesta, after the Iloilo City Council granted the request of the organizer Iloilo Sportsmen Inc. (ISI) for a resolution of no objection (RONO) allowing the event.
The City Council denied the RONO on Jan. 27 for violating the Cockfighting Law that bans any tournament during the conduct of voter’s registration. However, the registration ended on Jan. 31 and the derby was scheduled on Feb. 1.
Mayor Jerry Treñas can only issue a permit to the derby organizer if the City Council passes a RONO.
The City Council also heeded the call of Treñas who urged a special session to reconsider their earlier position as cockfight aficionados from all over the country and abroad are competing. Competitors and bettors flocked to the Iloilo Coliseum on Wednesday for one of the most popular derbies in the country.