RA 9487

Republic Act No. 9487, the law extending Pagcor’s franchise, was signed by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo June 20th. If you recall, this bill (House Bill 3409)  was approved on Feb. 19 during Congress’s special session.

The law extends Pagcor’s franchise, expiring on July 11, 2008, by another 25 years. The key provision is that instead of just having the right to run casinos, Pagcor now has “authority to operate and license gambling casinos, gaming clubs, and other similar recreation or amusement places, gaming pools, etc.”

Earlier Supreme Court jurisprudence had nullified a Pagcor contract with the now defunct Sage, with the high court finding that Pagcor had the authority to operate, but not sub-franchise its franchise.

Another key provision is that Pagcor must “obtain the consent of the local government unit that has territorial jurisdiction over the area chosen as the site for any of its operations.” Previously, Pagcor was not legally required to get the LGU consent, though in practice it did.  

Gentleman’s Sport

Honesty thrives in this archipelago. Where? In an arena where millions changes hands, with no need for the modern conveniences of computers or contracts to track who bet what or who owes whom. The arenas are the cockpits found in every town for sabong, the Philippines’ pasttime.

There are no tickets, written agreements, chips, tokens or cards to record your bet. It’s all in one’s integrity, honesty and good memory.

“Sabong is considered a gentleman’s sport,” comments Regorosa. There is very little room for cheating, and those caught could get badly beaten up or jailed. Once you make a wager or place a bet, there is no turning back because sabungeros (cockfight aficionados) will take your word for it and expect you to do the same. Don’t, and you draw the ire of a stadiumful of sabungeros, risk being mobbed, and lose your good community standing.

Enjoying Your Earnings

If you win the lotto or make a killing at the baccarat tables, how would you spend your winnings? If you’re the type who likes to tickle her tonque with exquisite tastes and exotic flavors, here’s one way to do it.

Foodies are flying in to Bangkok from far-flung corners of the world this weekend to experience a scintillating 11-course gala dinner — with a one-million-baht price tag.

Only the most well-heeled food and wine connoisseurs are expected to take a seat at the exclusive table in the Thai capital, where the feast will be prepared by six Michelin three-star chefs from Europe.

“We limit at 40 seats, and right now it’s fully booked,” said Kanokrat Petchpornprapas, a spokeswoman for Mezzaluna, the restaurant holding the event at the top of one of Bangkok’s tallest and most luxurious hotels, overlooking the Chao Phraya River.

Last of the Mohicans

When the cultural winds shift, who’ll be left to carry on, or expand upon, a lifetime of accumulated knowledge?  

Read about Mike Ratliff, an octogenarian in Texas. Always the passage of a society’s norms is best told through the eyes of one man.

Ratliff is perhaps the greatest cockfighter that ever lived. In 1968, he opened the only cockfighting school in America. Over the years he taught an estimated 8,000 students, some from as far away as the Philippines.

Then in November, at the age of 83, Ratliff announced he had taught his last class. The Humane Society rejoiced. They called it the end of an era.

“There’s not many of us left,” Ratliff says of the cockfighters he grew up with. “They’re all gone. Dead. They’re trying to make criminals out of the rest of us.”

Cultural Tradition or Barbaric Practice?

Across the Pacific, in the land that gave us Kentucky Fried Chicken, a debate rages about putting roosters in an arena with blades attached to their legs. You’d never get this kind of thinking in the Philippines, where every community has its city hall, church, market, and cockpit– and in some towns the ranking of importance is not in that order. The Philippines without cockfighting? Think of Pamplona without the running of the bulls.

Cockfighting will be the subject of controversy later this month, as state lawmakers consider bills to ban it in New Mexico, one of two remaining states in the nation where the activity is legal. Backers of a ban contend cockfighting is inhumane and barbaric, while opponents argue it’s a cultural tradition.

If you’re not familiar with the U.S., guess which other state still allows rooster fights. Hint: it’s not one of those that licenses humans to risk brain damage by beating the crap out of each other until one is knocked unconscious. As one wag put it, whether it’s considered cultural tradition or inhuman cruelty depens on how much pay-per-view dollars can be generated.

Here’s one interested party:

Artesia resident Ronald Barron, 58, president of the New Mexico Gamefowl Breeders Association, said one misconception about the fights is that roosters are trained, when actually it’s their instinct to fight. He contends cockfighting isn’t animal cruelty because of that natural tendency.

“I’ve been raising these fowl for 38 years,” he said. “If you turn them loose, they’re going to hurt and kill each other; that’s what they’re genetically going to do.”

And the opposing view:

Las Crucen Bob Young, who styles himself an independent animal rights activist, said a cockfighting ban is long overdue. Young, who witnessed cockfights in the Philippines while he was in the armed forces, said the activity is driven by gambling and doesn’t belong in the state.

“It’d be like horse racing,” he said. “There wouldn’t be horse racing if there wasn’t gambling. And of course, psychologically — it’s the blood lust (that appeals to people), the violence, the dark side of human nature.”

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