Cockfighting enthusiasts on Wednesday voiced concerns over a proposed measure in the Senate that aims to end animal cruelty, arguing it could jeopardize their centuries-old tradition and livelihoods.

They are specifically referring to Senate Bill No. 2975, or the Revised Animal Welfare Act, sponsored by Senator Grace Poe.

The bill, which passed its third reading in the Senate on 2 June with a unanimous vote, seeks to establish a system for supervising and regulating the keeping, handling, transporting, breeding, training and treatment of animals, among other provisions.

Joey Sy, who has bred gamefowls for more than 30 years and hosts a TV show featuring gamefowl breeders, warned that a ban on cockfighting would not only eradicate a tradition dating back to pre-colonial times but also affect thousands of Filipinos who depend on it for income.

“It should be specified in the proposed bill that only dog fighting, horse fighting and carabao fighting shall be prohibited,” Sy said.

“It’s dangerous if generalized as animal fights because chickens can be included in its interpretation. We must call the attention of our lawmakers on the said issue because we will all be adversely affected by this bill of Senator Poe,” he added.

Eddie Boy Ochoa, Sy’s co-host, suggested that declaring cockfighting as part of Filipino heritage could protect it from such legislation.