Bacolod Upholds Traditional Sabong Betting Methods
The Bacolod City Council has taken a decisive stand to protect the cultural heritage of cockfighting by approving a resolution that safeguards patrons' betting preferences. Councilor Dindo Ramos authored the measure that prevents cockpit operators from forcing bettors to use electronic betting systems.
Protecting Bettors' Choice and Cultural Traditions
The resolution explicitly prohibits cockpit operators and promoters from compelling, forcing, or coercing sabong enthusiasts to place bets exclusively through machines. Instead, patrons must be given the option to bet using either electronic systems or the traditional hand signals known as the "kumarera system."
Councilor Ramos, who chairs the City Council committee on transportation and traffic, explained that certain cockpit operators had begun mandating machine-based betting, effectively eliminating traditional methods. "Such practices not only violate the free will of patrons but may also be construed as discriminatory," Ramos stated during the session held on November 17, 2025.
Ensuring Fair Treatment for All Bettors
The resolution goes beyond simply offering betting options. It mandates that no form of discrimination shall occur between machine and traditional bettors in terms of location, gate fees, or any other means. This ensures equal treatment regardless of betting preference.
Ramos emphasized that cockfighting represents a deeply rooted Filipino tradition in Bacolod and throughout the Philippines. "Sabong is a long-standing Filipino tradition deeply rooted in the cultural and social life of many communities, including the City of Bacolod," he noted.
The councilor highlighted that the city recognizes the importance of preserving traditional practices associated with cockfighting, particularly the hand signal betting system that forms part of local heritage and identity.
Legal Foundation and Cultural Preservation
The resolution finds its legal basis in Presidential Decree 449, also known as The Cockfighting Law of 1974, which requires cockfighting operations to observe traditional and customary practices aligned with public morals and traditions.
"It is the duty of the City Council to ensure that local customs are respected, and that all forms of cockfighting operations within the city are conducted fairly and in compliance with both national and local laws," Ramos affirmed.
This move by the Bacolod City Council represents a significant step in balancing modernization with cultural preservation, ensuring that technological advancements in sabong betting don't erase traditional practices that have defined the sport for generations.
