Мэр города Матаг-Об назвал жалобу на легальные петушиные бои политическим преследованием

MATAG-OB, Leyte — Mayor Bernandino "Bernie" Tacoy defended the legality of the town's June fiesta cockfights, dismissing an Ombudsman complaint against local officials as political harassment. The complaint, filed by Jennifer Torrevillas on Aug. 6, named Tacoy, Vice Mayor Romeo Albarida, 10 members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Business Permit and Licensing Office head Jose Jasper Edullantes, and PMAJ Jay Zamora as respondents. According to Torrevillas, the respondents should face criminal and administrative charges for allowing cockfighting activities to be conducted on June 11, 13 and 14 at a supposed makeshift cockpit in Barangay Bonoy. In an official statement on Wednesday, Aug. 12, Tacoy said the municipal government has yet to receive a formal copy of the complaint lodged before the Ombudsman. "The cockfighting event in question was conducted in full compliance with applicable laws and secured all necessary permits and clearances," Tacoy said. Tacoy maintained that the activities were undertaken legally and in accordance with the requirements imposed by government authorities. "This complaint is purely harassment and politically motivated, filed by individuals who were defeated in the last two elections, supported by a spiteful politician intolerant of dissent and targeting his critics," he added. The mayor further described the complaint as an attempt to hinder local officials from performing their duties, adding that the municipal government remains undeterred by what it considers baseless allegations. Tacoy also vowed to continue serving the people of Matag-ob faithfully and in accordance with existing laws and regulations despite the controversy. The case stemmed from questions surrounding the legality of the fiesta cockfights held during the town's annual celebration, which have now become the subject of proceedings before the Ombudsman.