The Office of the Ombudsman, led by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, has penalized former Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia with a fine equivalent to six months of his basic salary. The sanction stems from his liability in authorizing illegal cockfighting activities held at a local casino back in 2024.
Because Garcia no longer holds office following his defeat in the previous year’s local elections, the Ombudsman stated that the fine will instead be deducted from his retirement benefits, accumulated leave credits, or other pending financial receivables.
The administrative case originated from a formal complaint filed by Kristian I. Hassamal, who questioned the legal validity of hosting cockfighting events at a casino venue in Cebu City across multiple dates in May, August, and October 2024.
In its 15-page ruling, the Ombudsman concluded that these activities violated Presidential Decree (PD) No. 449, also known as the Cockfighting Law of 1974. The law explicitly mandates that cockfighting must be held exclusively in licensed cockpits and approved venues, while strictly limiting special hosting privileges to specific durations.
”Respondent Garcia’s act of not interposing any objection cannot be excused as a mere oversight. The legal requirements governing cockfighting are explicit and leave no room for discretion as to venue,” the decision stated.
”By allowing the activities to proceed without objection despite their patent illegality, respondent Garcia exhibited inexcusable neglect of duty,” it added.
Under the provisions of PD 449, cockfighting events can only be granted a single extension not exceeding three days per year for any given locality. The Ombudsman emphasized that Garcia’s approval of multi-day events at a casino venue constituted conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
”As a public official, respondent Garcia was duty-bound to ensure that all activities conducted within the jurisdiction strictly complied with existing laws and regulations,” the ruling further noted.
Meanwhile, the administrative case filed against co-respondent and former Cebu City Police Director Antonietto Ybañez Cañete has been forwarded to the Ombudsman-Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices for proper handling, given his standing as an active uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP).