Illegal Makati cockpit shut down

THE MAKATI City government has shut down a cockpit on Mascardo Street in Barangay Singkamas after authorities found out it was operating without a license.

In a statement, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. said he issued the closure order upon the recommendation of the city’s business permits office which discovered that the arena, owned and managed by WTJ Sports and Amusement Corp., did not have a permit from city hall.

Binay also directed city officials to investigate how the company was able to operate even without a license—the most basic requirement in any business in the city.

In addition, he said he learned that cockpit employees did not have working permits as well. City Hall employees also discovered that a restaurant leasing a portion of the building was operating without a license.

Inspectors served the closure order on May 9, seven days after they conducted a check of the establishment, the mayor added.