Ombudsman Fines Former Cebu City Mayor Garcia Over Unauthorized Cockfighting Events

Former Cebu City mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia faces a fine equivalent to six months of his basic salary after the Office of the Ombudsman found him administratively liable for unauthorized cockfighting events held at Nustar in 2024.

In a decision dated Jan. 6, 2026, the Ombudsman found Garcia guilty of Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service and initially imposed a six-month suspension without pay. Since Garcia is no longer in government service, the penalty was converted into a fine payable to the Ombudsman.

The amount may be deducted from his retirement benefits, accumulated leave credits or other receivables from his former office. However, the ruling remains subject to reconsideration following Garcia’s motion challenging the decision.

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

Cockfighting events at Nustar

The administrative complaint was filed by Kristian Hassamal on Nov. 18, 2024, and covered cockfighting events conducted at the Nustar Resort and Casino Convention Center on May 23 and 24 and Aug. 27 to 29, 2024.

The Ombudsman ruled that the events violated Presidential Decree 449, or the Cockfighting Law of 1974, which regulates special cockfighting events by restricting their locations, duration and frequency.

According to the decision, Nustar is neither a licensed cockpit nor a playground or park recognized under the law as a permissible venue for such activities.

The Ombudsman also pointed to the absence of required clearances from the Cebu City Sports Commission, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and Office of the City Mayor. These missing approvals were reflected in checklists attached to conditional permits issued by the City’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO).

The BPLO issued a conditional permit on May 10, 2024, signed by Terencio Saavedra under the authority of then mayor Michael Rama. The permit for the August event, meanwhile, was issued while Garcia was serving as acting mayor.

The Ombudsman’s decision did not address the possible administrative liability of Saavedra or Rama.

Garcia contests ruling

In a statement posted on Facebook, Garcia said he had filed a motion for reconsideration, arguing that the Ombudsman mischaracterized the purpose and legal effect of the Letter of No Objection (LONO) he issued.

Garcia said the letter, dated April 23, 2024, responded to a formal request to hold a two-day Seven Cock Derby at the Fili Nustar and Casino Convention Center on May 23 and 24, 2024.

He maintained that the LONO was expressly subject to applicable laws, regulations and conditions, and was not intended to serve as a final permit or an unconditional authorization for the event.

“The legal character and effect of the Lono must be determined by its actual terms, the applicable regulations and the evidence on record,” Garcia said in a statement.

He also argued that government officials are expected to act on formal requests within prescribed periods, including those covered by the Anti-Red Tape Act, where applicable. In his view, issuing a conditional response should not automatically be interpreted as granting final approval.

Garcia said he acted after learning that the event promoter had failed to comply with permit requirements.

The Ombudsman’s decision cited a Sept. 13, 2024, notice to explain issued by the acting city administrator on Garcia’s behalf to OX-KBDF Gaming. The notice covered the May and August events, and the matter was referred to the City Legal Office.

The city subsequently issued a show-cause order against the promoter and Nustar over another event held from Oct. 11 to 18, 2024, which allegedly proceeded without a valid special permit.

Garcia told the Ombudsman that he did not authorize the October event and had expressly refused to approve its application.

Complaints involving other officials

The Ombudsman referred the complaint against former CCPO chief Antonietto Ybañez Cañete to its Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices. The agency cited Cañete’s status as a uniformed police officer and the absence of proof or allegations that he conspired with Garcia.

Separately, the Ombudsman ordered a fact-finding investigation into Games and Amusements Board (GAB) officials Jesucito Garcia and Francisco Rivera over permits issued for the October cockfighting events at Nustar.

The permits raised questions about the GAB’s authority to approve such activities in light of the regulatory powers granted to local governments under the Local Government Code, according to the Ombudsman’s decision.

The case against Garcia is administrative and does not constitute a criminal proceeding. Garcia also said the ruling did not impose the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office and expressed hope that he could serve the public again.

The Ombudsman’s resolution of Garcia’s motion for reconsideration will determine whether the administrative ruling will be upheld, modified or reversed.