Law Summary
Jurisdiction, Powers, and Functions of PHILRACOM
- Exclusive control over all aspects of horse racing including race scheduling, track safety, prize allocations, and betting security.
- Powers include enforcing laws, issuing licenses and permits, regulating race meetings, postponing or canceling races for valid reasons.
- Authority to regulate construction of race tracks, supervise events, and ensure integrity.
- May prohibit use of improper devices or drugs on horses.
- Imposes fines and penalties, modifies or suspends licenses after notice and hearing.
- Can summon parties, issue subpoenas, and inspect race-related premises.
PHILRACOM Officers and Their Roles
- Executive Director supervises all racing activities.
- Assistant Executive Director assists and acts in Executive Director's absence.
- Other officials appointed as necessary to support functions.
- Chairman presides over meetings and duties.
Board of Stewards: Composition, Roles, and Powers
- Composed of a Chairman and six members appointed by PHILRACOM.
- Stewards must be of legal age, good character, with college education and license.
- Duties include supervising races, controlling betting sales, ensuring fair starts, conducting investigations, and imposing penalties.
- Authority to disqualify horses or jockeys, order blood or drug tests.
- Maintain reports and manage conduct within racing venues.
- Cadet Stewards assist but vote only when substituting.
- Penalties exist for Stewards' negligence or bias.
Veterinarians and Physicians' Responsibilities
- PHILRACOM Veterinarian examines racehorses’ fitness, supervises measurements, and observes races.
- Authorized to order testing for drugs and recommend destruction of injured horses.
- PHILRACOM Physician certifies fitness of licensees and jockeys, oversees first aid facilities, and assists clubs' medical personnel.
Racing Officials and Handicappers
- Racing Official supervises PHILRACOM personnel at tracks, monitors races, and reports irregularities.
- PHILRACOM Handicappers maintain records of horses and jockeys, prepare programs, and advise on handicapping.
- Field Racing Inspectors deployed to monitor events and report.
Licensing and Regulation of Racing Clubs
- Clubs must obtain licenses to hold races, prepare approved internal rules, and maintain facilities.
- Required facilities include race tracks, starting gates, electronic computers, photo finish devices, jockey quarters, and medical clinics.
- Clubs are responsible for safety and order during events; failure to comply may result in fines or license suspension.
Officials and Personnel in Racing Clubs
- Include Racing Manager, Judges, Stewards, Handicappers, Starters, Veterinarians, Clockers, Clerks of Scales, Physicians, Nurses, Starting Gate Helpers, and Farriers.
- Officials must be licensed and qualified.
- Racing Manager oversees race preparations, ensures compliance with rules, and supervises facilities.
Owners, Trainers, and Horse Registration
- Owners include natural persons, partnerships, or corporations holding ownership or lease agreements registered with PHILRACOM.
- Owners and trainers must meet age, financial, and moral character qualifications.
- Leasing recognized as equivalent to ownership when registered.
- Trainers licensed professionals responsible for horse fitness and conduct.
Jockeys, Apprentice Jockeys, and Related Personnel
- Jockeys must be Filipino citizens with licenses and good moral character.
- Apprentice jockeys granted weight allowances based on wins.
- Jockeys must undergo biannual medical exams.
- Restrictions on number of rides per day.
- Rules govern conduct, attire, and substitution procedures.
Conduct of Races and Betting Systems
- No racing with betting allowed without PHILRACOM license.
- Racing days specified by the Commission; native horses mainly allowed.
- Procedures for horse registration, measurement, declaration, and racing program preparation detailed.
- Betting forms include pari-mutuel, daily double, forecast, llave, jackpot, quartet, winner take all, pick six, quinella, trifecta, and others.
- Rules on ticket sales, refunds, dividends, and race cancellations provided.
Prohibitions and Corrupt Practices
- Specific persons prohibited from betting or owning horses.
- Bribery, drug use, fraudulent submissions, and race fixing penalized with fines, suspensions, or license revocation.
- Drugs and devices usage regulated; possession by unauthorized persons banned.
Penalties and Infractions
- Detailed penalties for misconduct by jockeys, owners, trainers, racing officials, and horses.
- Penalties include fines, suspensions, revocations, and bans depending on severity.
- Rules cover acts before, during, and after races, including weight violations, race conduct, and equipment use.
Decision-Making and Appeals
- Board of Stewards conducts investigations, hearings, and imposes penalties.
- PHILRACOM reviews appeals and may affirm, modify, or reverse decisions.
- Appeals to the President allowed within 72 hours; decisions executory pending appeal.
- Proceedings not bound by strict technical evidence rules, emphasizing substantial evidence and fairness.
Effective Date
- Rules effective from January 5, 1991, with amendments effective upon approval.