Philippine Sabong — Culture, History & the Law
Sabong88 is an independent information site about sabong (Philippine cockfighting): its history, bloodlines, terminology, and current legal status. We are not a betting operator, we take no bets, and we do not link to any online sabong platform.
Is online sabong legal? No. Online sabong (e-sabong) operations have been suspended since May 2022 under Executive Order No. 9, and operating, promoting or participating in unlicensed e-sabong is illegal in the Philippines. Only traditional, licensed land-based cockfighting under local permits (and PD 449) is lawful. Read our legal status page.
📜 History
500+ years of sabong in the Philippines — from pre-colonial roots to the modern derby circuit.
📖 Terminology
Sabong terms explained — Sultada, Kristo, Llamado, Dejado, Logro, Sentenciador, Sabungan.
🐓 Breeds
The classic fighting fowl bloodlines — Hatch, Kelso, Roundhead and Sweater.
⚖️ Legal Status
What EO9 changed, what PD 449 still allows, and why e-sabong is suspended.
What is Sabong?
Sabong, or cockfighting, is one of the oldest traditions in the Philippines, pre-dating Spanish colonisation. A traditional match takes place inside a sabungan (cockpit arena), where two gamecocks face each other under a referee (sentenciador). It is woven into Philippine rural culture, folklore and local fiestas.
In 2020–2022 the practice moved online as e-sabong — live-streamed cockfights with real-money betting. Following widespread concern over gambling addiction and a series of disappearances linked to e-sabong operations, President Duterte suspended all e-sabong via Executive Order No. 9 in May 2022. That suspension remains in force. This site documents the culture of sabong; it does not facilitate online betting on it.
Explore
Sabong Derbies
How major Philippine derbies and the World Slasher Cup work as cultural events.