Stop Bill that Seeks to Declare
Cockfighting as Part of our
National Cultural Heritage
Dear advocates,
Please see the article below about Agusan del Sur Congressman Rodolfo "Ompong" Plaza who has filed a bill to declare cockfighting as part of Philippine heritage.
While cockfighting is legal (this was a concession when we were lobbying for the Animal Welfare Act), it remains one of our country's cruel sports and does not deserve to be declared as part of our "national cultural heritage".
Please write to Rep. Plaza - whose contact details appear below - and politely urge him to drop this bill and focus on more important laws instead:
Honorable Rodolfo "Ompong" G. Plaza
Rm. N-403
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
House of Representatives
Constitutional Hills 1119, Quezon City
Phone: 931-5001 local 7362, 9315430
ompong_plaza_ agsur@yahoo. com
Please read more about the cruelties of cockfighting here: http://www.humaneso ciety.org/ issues/cockfight ing/facts/ cockfighting_ fact_sheet. html
On top of the animal cruelty issue, it is important to point out that Rep. Plaza seeks to sugarcoat this attempt to PROMOTE GAMBLING by saying that "..cockfighting should never be exploited as an object of commercialism ..nor made a tool of uncontrolled gambling."
The fact remains that cockfighting IS gambling and we are sure majority of Filipinos would not want any gambling activity declared as having anything to do with our national heritage.
Thank you.
-The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
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Solon seeks to declare cockfighting as part of
national cultural heritage
21 March 2010 10:19:01 AM
Writer: Jennifer Arteche-Valenton, MRS-PRIB
Cockfighting may soon be declared as a part of the country's national cultural heritage.
Rep. Rodolfo "Ompong" Plaza (Lone District, Agusan del Sur) has filed a measure urging the National Commission for Culture and Arts and the National Historical Institute to declare cockfighting as part of the intangible Philippine cultural heritage.
Plaza said cockfighting is a popular, traditional and customary form of recreation and entertainment among Filipinos especially during holidays, fiestas, fairs and other events.
Plaza said even Presidential Decree No. 449, or the Cockfighting Law, recognizes that cockfighting is a vehicle for the preservation and perpetuation of native Filipino heritage that enhances national identity.
"Intangible cultural heritage includes practices, representations expressions and skills, as well as the objects, instruments and artifacts that communities, groups and individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage," Plaza said.
"Cockfighting should neither be exploited as an object of commercialism or business enterprise nor made a tool of uncontrolled gambling," Plaza said.
"Cockfighting must be recognized and institutionalized as part of the national cultural heritage and must be promoted, protected and enhanced," Plaza said.