Composition and Organization of PHILRACOM
- Composed of a Chairman and four members.
- Commissioners serve four-year terms; vacancies filled only for unexpired terms.
- Expired terms continue until successors are appointed and qualified.
- Weekly meetings required; quorum and voting require at least three members.
Jurisdiction and Powers of PHILRACOM
- Exclusive jurisdiction and control over all aspects of horse racing.
- Authority to regulate races, race tracks, prize allocations, and security.
- Enforce laws, adopt and prescribe rules, review other entities’ rules.
- Issue licenses and permits, impose fines and penalties.
- Postpone or abandon races due to unsafe conditions or facilities.
- Register racehorses, owners, and associations.
- Suspend or revoke permits/licenses for violations.
- Summon parties, require document production, inspect premises.
Officers of PHILRACOM
- Executive Director: Overall supervision, immediate control over horse racing conduct.
- Assistant Executive Director (Director for Racing): Assists Executive Director and acts in his absence.
- Other officers appointed as needed.
- Chairman presides over meetings and powers transferred in incapacity.
Board of Stewards
- Supervises and controls conduct of races.
- Composed of Chairman and six members; majority vote for decisions.
- Qualification: legal age, good moral character, college education, licensed.
- Cannot be Handicappers, may act as Judges if licensed.
- Duties: control ticket sales, order race starts, investigate incidents, impose penalties, regulate conduct, submit reports, disqualify horses.
- Power to inspect, exclude unruly persons, order race cancellations, and enforce rules.
- Cadet Stewards assist and act as extension with limited voting rights.
- Stewards must wear proper attire and penalties against them for misconduct.
PHILRACOM Veterinarians and Physician
- Veterinarians: Examine, supervise horse fitness and measurements, monitor drug use, oversee schooling of vicious horses.
- PHILRACOM Physician: Certify physical fitness of licensees and jockeys, supervise first aid facilities, assist in emergencies.
PHILRACOM Officials
- Racing Official: Supervise PHILRACOM personnel, report irregularities, act as substitute Judge.
- Handicappers: Attend meetings, prepare race programs, maintain horse records, recommend handicapping.
- Field Racing Inspectors: Enforce race day assignments and report.
Racing Clubs: Licensing and Duties
- Must secure PHILRACOM license or permit to hold races.
- Internal rules must not conflict with laws and require PHILRACOM approval and publication.
- Provide adequate and safe race tracks, facilities, starting gates, photo finish, weighing machines, communication systems, emergency clinics, paddocks, and jockey quarters.
- Maintenance and safety of tracks and grandstands mandatory.
Club Officials and Personnel
- Racing Manager: Official in charge of race preparation and conduct; must ensure compliance, facility condition.
- Assistant Racing Manager: Assists and substitutes the Manager.
- Judges: License required, decide placements subject to Stewards’ confirmation.
- Paddock Stewards: Manage saddling paddock, enforce rules, supervise conduct.
- Club Handicappers: Prepare handicaps, keep detailed records.
- Superintendents/Supervisors: Control ticket sales.
- Starters: Manage race starts, supervise schooling of horses.
- Veterinarians: Provide horse inspection and emergency care.
- Additional personnel required for smooth race conduct.
Horse Owners, Trainers, Jockeys, and Related Persons
- Owners may be natural or juridical persons; leasing equated to ownership upon registration.
- Owners require good moral character, financial ability, and PHILRACOM approval.
- Trainers licensed and responsible for horse fitness and conduct during races.
- Jockeys: Filipino citizens, licensed, responsible for race conduct, subject to strict rules on appearance, behavior, and duties.
- Student and Apprentice Jockeys have specific qualifications and weight allowances.
- Foreign jockeys permitted under reciprocal conditions and licensing.
- Limits on number of rides and conduct strictly enforced.
- Helpers and grooms regulated and registered.
Registration and Licensing
- Mandatory registration of racehorses and owners with PHILRACOM.
- Associations or Federations must be registered; membership limited by category.
- Licenses for jockeys, trainers, officials, and horse owners require renewal.
- Fees imposed for licenses, registrations, transfers, and appeals.
Conduct of Racing Events
- Races allowed only with PHILRACOM license or permit.
- Racing days fixed and races scheduled in approved calendar.
- Only authorized horses (breed, registered, fit, drug-free) admitted.
- Procedures for measurement, inscription, declaration, and drawing lots prescribed.
- Coupled entries and handicap rules detailed.
- Various betting forms defined (parimutuel, daily double, forecast, etc.) with rules on ticket sales and dividends.
Prohibitions and Corrupt Practices
- Certain officials prohibited from betting.
- Specific persons banned from racetrack on race days (minors, armed persons, under influence).
- Prohibited persons from owning horses set forth.
- Strict penalties for bribery, doping, use of improper devices, and misleading authorities.
Offenses and Penalties
- Detailed penalties for jockeys, owners, trainers, horses, racing clubs, and officials.
- Infractions include unsportsmanlike conduct, noncompliance, false reporting, injury to horses, equipment violations, and more.
- Horses penalized for improper behavior including refusal to start, swerving, epistaxis, and poor condition.
- Progressive disciplinary measures with fines, suspensions, and bans.
Decisions, Appeals, and Administrative Procedures
- Board of Stewards conducts investigations and imposes penalties with quorum and voting rules.
- Decisions rendered after due process; may be appealed to PHILRACOM within 72 hours.
- PHILRACOM may review, modify, or affirm Stewards’ decisions; not bound by strict procedural rules.
- Appeals to the Office of the President possible for final resolution.
- Rules effective from January 5, 1991 onward, with prior amendments incorporated.
This comprehensive regulatory framework ensures integrity, safety, and orderly conduct of horse racing in the Philippines while safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders involved, including the betting public.