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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Matag-ob officials charged for alleged illegal cockfights

Matag-ob officials charged for alleged illegal cockfights

Published Aug 7, 2026 04:04 pm
CEBU CITY – Criminal and administrative complaints were filed against local officials of Matag-ob in Leyte over a series of alleged illegal cockfights.
Charged before the Office of the Ombudsman were Matag-ob Mayor Bernardino Tacoy, Vice Mayor Romeo Albarida, and Sangguniang Bayan members Artemio T. Almoroto, Joel N. Denoy, Evangeline C. Carno, Ricardo L. Giva, Rodolfo N. Suñir, Luz M. Boldero, Jose B. Yap, Eduardo I. Toledo, Joel C. Tacoy, and Aiyanna Patrice M. Laurente.
Also charged were Jose Jasper Edullantes, the officer-in-charge of the Business Permits and Licensing Office, and Police Major Jay Nuñez Zamora, chief of the Matag-ob Police Station.
The complainant, Jennifer Torrevillas, a resident of Barangay Mansahaon, Matag-ob, asked the Ombudsman to investigate the public officials for supposed violations of Presidential Decree No. 449 or the Cockfighting Law of 1974 and Republic Act (RA) No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The complainant also prayed for preventive suspension of all the respondents. The administrative aspect of the case includes grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty and violations of RA No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Torrevillas based her complaint on alleged approval of Tacoy and the municipal council in conduct of cockfights June 11, 13 and 14, 2026 without necessary permits.
She alleged that the holding of the cockfights didn’t have permits from the Philippine National Police (PNP) in violation of PD 449.
The case presents that the PNP is the approving body per PD 449 and not the LGU.
Torrevilas noted that Tacoy announced in a municipal flag-raising ceremony that the local PNP had provided a Certificate of No Objection for the said cockfighting activities.
But on July 8, the Leyte Police Provincial Office issued a certification stating that no objection, clearance, endorsement, permit, authority, or similar document had been issued for the cockfighting activities.
The complainant also cited a council resolution identifying the municipal covered court and gymnasium as the venue but the actual cockfights were conducted at a temporary or makeshift cockpit in Barangay Bonoy.
The complainant said there was no indication that the actual location was a licensed cockpit, playground, or park, the venues contemplated under Section 5(e) of PD No. 449.

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Matag-ob Leyte Cockfighting Mayor Bernie Tacoy
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