MANILA— The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended former Cebu City acting mayor Raymond Alvin Neri Garcia for six months without pay after finding him administratively liable for allowing unauthorized cockfighting events to take place at a hotel and casino in Cebu City in 2024.

Ombudsman Boying Remulla approved the penalty in a 15-page decision involving derbies held on May 23 to 24, August 27 to 29, and October 11 to 18, 2024. The complaint was filed by Kristian I. Hassamal, who questioned the conduct of the events at the casino venue.

The Ombudsman found that Garcia’s failure to object to the events despite restrictions under Presidential Decree No. 449, or the Cockfighting Law of 1974, constituted conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

“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. By allowing the activities to proceed without objection despite their patent illegality, respondent Garcia exhibited inexcusable neglect of duty,” the decision read.

Under PD 449, cockfighting is limited to authorized venues and licensed cockpits, while special privileges for holding derbies are restricted to specified occasions and durations.

The law provides that such privileges may be “extended for only one time, for a period not exceeding three days, within a year to a province, city, or municipality.”

The Ombudsman noted that the resort and casino where the events took place did not qualify as a licensed cockpit or as a playground or park permitted under the law.

The decision stated that the venue itself violated the legal requirements governing cockfighting.

“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 decision further stated.

If Garcia can no longer be suspended because he has left public service, the penalty will be converted into a fine equivalent to six months of his basic salary. The amount may be deducted from his retirement benefits, accrued leave credits, or other pending receivables.

Meanwhile, the administrative complaint against former Cebu City Police Director Antonietto Ybañez Cañete, a co-respondent in the case, was referred to the Ombudsman-Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices for appropriate action because of his status as a uniformed member of the Philippine National Police.