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Court
junks cockpit operators'
TRO petition
By: KIT BAGAIPO
The
Regional Trial Court (RTC) junked a petition by cockpit operators
for the extension of a 72-hour temporary restraining order
(TRO) allowing cockfights during weekdays and Saturdays.
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RTC
Branch 1 Presiding Judge Teofilo Baluma denied the petition
last Friday based on the fact that the 72-hour TRO has
already expired even before a summary hearing for the
purpose could be conducted.
The
petition for extension is rendered moot and academic,
according to Baluma.
It
may be recalled that RTC Executive Judge Fernando Fuentes
III issued last week the 72-hour TRO which expired last
Tuesday.
The
RTC had to raffle the case four times as judges refused
to handle the hearing, until it was finally assigned
to Baluma last Thursday.
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Atty.
Alexander Lim, president of the Bohol Cockpit Owners Association
represented the petitioners while Bohol PNP Director SSupt.
Edgardo Ingking with Provincial Legal Counsel Atty. Handel
Lagunay argued in behalf of the provincial government.
In
an interview with the Chronicle yesterday, Ingking said he
already issued guidelines to all municipal police stations
to enforce the ban of holding cockfights on days other than
Sundays and holidays following the denial of the petition
for extension of the TRO.
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