Negros mayor faces raps for allowing cockfights

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman filed criminal charges yesterday against a city mayor of Negros Occidental.

 Himamaylan City Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon was indicted for violation of the Anti-Illegal Gambling Law.

 Graft probers said Bascon allowed the holding of cockfights every Sunday from Nov. 11, 2012 to Jan. 4, 2013 in Sitio Calans in Barangay Libacao. 

 They said Bascon approved the request of a certain Pablito Villaruel, who is not licensed to operate a cockpit, to hold the cockfights.

 The cockfights were held without approval from the chief of the Philippine National Police or his authorized representative as required by law, graft probers said.