Matag-ob, Leyte officials face Ombudsman complaint over fiesta cockfight

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — The Office of the Ombudsman has been asked to investigate local officials in Matag-ob, Leyte, including the town’s police chief, over the conduct of a fiesta cockfight in June at a “makeshift” cockpit in Barangay Bonoy.

Complainant Jennifer Torrevillas also sought the preventive suspension of Mayor Bernardino Tacoy, Vice Mayor Romeo Albarida, and 10 members of the Sangguniang Bayan. Also named in the complaint were Business Permit and Licensing Office head Jose Jasper Edullantes and Police Chief, Police Major Jay Zamora.

Tacoy has yet to comment on the Ombudsman complaint.

However, he posted the quote, “Do not let the noise of other people’s doubts drown out the quiet strength of your own purpose,” on his social media page early Saturday morning, August 8.

Fiesta cockfighting in Matag-ob, Leyte

In a 38-page complaint filed with the Ombudsman on August 6, Torrevillas said Tacoy and the 13 other respondents should be held criminally and administratively liable for allowing the town’s fiesta cockfights to be held on June 11, 13, and 14, 2026.

**READ: Arcilla seeks legal review of fiesta cockfights **

Torrevillas alleged that the respondents violated Presidential Decree No. 449, or the Cockfighting Law of 1974; Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees; and the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.

Presidential Decree No. 449 allows cockfights to be held only in licensed cockpits on Sundays, legal holidays, and during local fiestas, for a maximum of three days. Furthermore, it requires permission from the head of the Philippine Constabulary (now the Philippine National Police) as well as resolutions from the provincial and city or municipal councils endorsing the activity.

READ: 12 nabbed for Holy Week ‘tigbakay’ in Guadalupe

Torrevillas, a resident of Barangay Mansahon in Matag-ob town, filed the complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman after the Leyte Police Provincial Office said it did not authorize or endorse the conduct of the fiesta cockfights.

“Instead of faithfully implementing the law, respondents deliberately substituted the statutory requirements with local government acts consisting of an SB resolution and a mayor’s Permit, neither of which can legally amend, dispense, or supersede the mandatory provisions of Presidential Decree No. 449,” read part of the complaint.

“Their collective acts constitute not only a blatant violation of the cockfighting law but likewise manifest partiality, evident bad faith, abuse of official authority, serious dishonesty, and gross disregard of settled legal requirements, thereby giving unwarranted benefits and official legitimacy to an otherwise unauthorized gambling activity,” it added.

LGU permit

In a speech after the municipal flag-raising ceremony on June 22, 2026, Tacoy described the fiesta cockfighting event as “gamayng kalingawan” (small fun), which he said was organized as part of the town’s “cultural presentation” for its fiesta celebration.

Tacoy said the event was held in response to a request from a group of balikbayans.

“According to the law, we are allowed to conduct [a three-day] cockfighting activity, provided we have to secure some documents,” he said.

On June 10, 2026, Tacoy issued a mayor’s permit authorizing the Balai Matag-ob Association to hold cockfighting activities at the New Matag-ob Civic Center in Barangay Bonoy on June 11, 13, and 14, “or any other venue as may be deemed appropriate by the Local Government of Matag-ob.”

The permit was subject to the payment of applicable taxes, fees, and charges and compliance with existing requirements.

The local government collected a P2,200 permit fee from the applicant.

The permit was issued pursuant to the Municipal Revenue Ordinance and the Matag-ob, Leyte Cockfighting Ordinance of 2022, as amended. Copies of the permit were furnished to the chief of the Matag-ob Police Station and the captain of Barangay Bonoy.

Before the permit was issued, the Sangguniang Bayan unanimously approved on June 8 a resolution authored by Councilor Joel Denoy authorizing the conduct of the cockfighting event “for the entertainment of tourists and balikbayans.”

However, Torrevillas said the authority to permit the conduct of a special cockfighting activity belongs neither to the mayor nor to the Sangguniang Bayan, but to the chief of the Constabulary, whose functions are now exercised by the Philippine National Police.

READ: 4 nabbed for illegal cockfights in Occidental Mindoro

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