The mayor said there was no complaint from other bidder.
Calvo, who also won the bidding last year to operate the cockfight arena along Middle Road in Gualo Rai, outbid Lucy Sablan, the second highest bidder.
Tudela said he has no problem with Calvo’s management and is not aware of any complaint.
He did say, however, that illegal cockfighting activities on Saipan are still happening in San Antonio, San Vicente and Kagman.
“The operation of the arena is getting better,” he said.
In an earlier interview, Calvo confirmed that sporadic illegal cockfighting continue to exist in different places but the management is now coordinating with the Department of Public Safety to stop it.
Tudela said he is ready to entertain any complaints about the management of the cockfight arena should it reach his office.
Saipan Cockfight Board Pete Castro earlier expressed dissatisfaction against Calvo’s management style, which he said, contradicts the board’s rules and regulations.
Castro was specifically against how a referee judges the game.
The mayor, however, said he doesn’t receive any complaint from the Board.
“They should have come to my office,” he said.
In support of cockers and breeders, Castro also questioned the qualification of the referee which he said was certified by the office of the mayor without proper review.
According to the Saipan Cockfighting Act of 1994 and CNMI Code, the mayor of Saipan should certify the position of the referee, a function that should have been delegated to the Board, Castro said.
“The mayor should only recommend and the Board will certify and approve after evaluating if the person applying for the referee is qualified. There should be a strict requirement for a referee,” said Castro.
