QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 169)
Executive Order No. 169 expressly repeals Presidential Decree No. 810, as amended. Consequently, the franchise/grant under PD 810 (as amended) is revoked and cancelled.
Section 1 provides that PD 810, as amended, is repealed, and the right, privilege, or authority granted therein to the Philippine Jai-Alai and Amusement Corporation (or its successors) is revoked and cancelled.
It granted authority to construct, operate, and maintain a court/fronton for Basque Pelota and similar games of skill in the greater Manila area and to hold or conduct those games therein (and establish branches for booking purposes with prior approval), with bettings by direct or computerized totalizator.
It was granted for 25 years from approval of the Act, extendible for another 25 years without the necessity of another franchise.
Presidential Decree No. 1966 further amending PD 810 authorized holding/conducting Basque Pelota games (including listed variants) within Metro Manila and allowed branches for booking purposes therein or elsewhere in the Philippines, subject to existing rules and regulations.
The recitals state that the grant is subject to amendment, alteration, or repeal when the common good so requires—reflecting the principle that franchises are not irrevocable if public interest demands change.
The Philippine Jai-Alai and Amusement Corporation, or its successors.
It says that the grant is revoked and cancelled.
It shall take effect immediately (Section 2).
By repealing PD 810 and revoking/cancelling the grant, the authority to conduct/hold games under that franchise is effectively ended.
The text notes PD 1124 amended PD 810 by extending duration and clarifying aspects of the authority (including extension without new franchise). PD 1966 then further amending PD 810 expanded/modified the authorized areas and booking/venue rules.
The original grant included the ability to establish branches for booking purposes (including in any other place within the Philippines) upon prior approval by the President.
The text frames the franchise as inherently subject to amendment/alteration/repeal when the common good requires it; thus, EO 169 acts to repeal and revoke the franchise on that basis.
The repealed PD 810 (as amended) involved the “greater Manila area” originally; later PD 1966 addressed Metro Manila and allowed branches for booking elsewhere subject to rules.
It shows how a government may end a statutory franchise by: (1) expressly repealing the enabling decree, (2) explicitly revoking/cancelling the franchise grant, and (3) declaring immediate effect.