Disallowing the Use/Possession of Cellular Phones and Other Similar Systems of Electronic Communications Inside Certain Rooms

April 8, 2015

PHILRACOM RESOLUTION NO. 17-15

Excerpts from the minutes of the meeting of the Board of the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) held on 8 April 2015 at 4th Floor Electra House Bldg., Esteban St., Makati City.

WHEREAS, Presidential Decree No. 420 gives the Philippine Racing Commission exclusive jurisdiction and control over all aspects of the conduct of horse racing, including the framing and scheduling of races, the construction and safety of horse racing, the allocation of prizes, and the security of racing; HEITAD

WHEREAS, P.D. 420 mandates the Commission to, among others, promote and maintain efficient and unbiased operation of racing exclusive of the supervision of betting therein, and to raise public confidence in the sport and minimize infraction of the rules of racing;

WHEREAS, the same law gives the Commission the power to prescribe additional rules and regulations not otherwise inconsistent therewith and to impose fines, penalties and forfeitures to erring parties under the rules and regulations of the Commission, which fines, penalties and forfeitures shall accrue to the funds of the Commission;

WHEREAS, PR 5-C (3) of the Rules and Regulations Governing Horse Racing Participants provides, among others, that unless otherwise authorized by the Commission, the use of cellular phones, beepers and other systems of communications shall not be allowed inside the Stewards Stand;

WHEREAS, PR 60 of the Rules and Procedures Governing the Conduct of Races prohibits the use of cellular phones at the Stewards' Stand, Jockey's Quarters, Paddocks and Computer Room and provides for penalties in the event that a jockey is caught violating the said rule;

WHEREAS, there is a need to update the said Rules to make them more responsive to the times, considering the advances in modern communications and technology;

NOW THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED, as it is hereby RESOLVED that in addition to PR 5-C (3) and PR 60, the use or possession of cellular phones, internet wristwatches, beepers and other similar systems of electronic communications, except hand held radios or intercoms accredited by the Commission, shall not be allowed inside the Stewards' Stand, Board of Judges' Stand, Jockeys Quarters, Paddocks and Computer Room.

RESOLVED, FURTHER, that cellular phones, internet wristwatches, beepers and other similar systems of electronic communications used or brought inside the Stewards' Stand, Board of Judges' Stand, Jockeys Quarters, Paddocks and Computer Room in violation of this Resolution or of PR 5-C (3) or PR 60 shall immediately be confiscated as evidence by an agent of the Commission or of the Racing Club and turned over to the Commission at its principal office within 24 hours from the time that it was confiscated and the same shall be forfeited in favor of the Commission;

RESOLVED, FURTHER, that anyone caught using or in possession of cellular phones, internet wristwatches, beepers or other similar systems of electronic communications in violation hereof shall, after notice and hearing, be liable for the following penalties:

Offense	Penalty
1ST OFFENSE	three (3) months suspension and/or a fine
	of not more than Thirty Thousand Pesos
	(P30,000.00)
2ND OFFENSE	six (6) months suspension and/or a fine of
	not more than Sixty Thousand Pesos
	(P60,000.00)
3RD OFFENSE	one (1) year suspension and/or a fine of
	not more than One Hundred Thousand
	Pesos (P100,000.00)

PROVIDED that the penalties above mentioned are without prejudice to the revocation of the offender's license by the Commission as well as to the filing of appropriate criminal charges if the evidence so warrants;

RESOLVED, FINALLY, that all racing clubs are hereby mandated to install close circuit television (CCTV) cameras and audio equipment at the Stewards' Stand, Board of Judges' Stand, Jockeys Quarters, Paddocks and Computer Room in such a manner that full view of the said places is afforded by said CCTV cameras, and footages from the same shall be viewed exclusively by the management of the racing club and/or by the Commission. To this end, the Commission shall the given on-line access to the live recording of the CCTV cameras and audio equipment.

All other Rules contrary to or inconsistent with this Resolution are hereby deemed amended.

This Resolution shall be effective fifteen (15) days after publication at the Official Gazette.

APPROVED AND SIGNED by the undersigned Chairman and Commissioners of the Philippine Racing Commission, this 8th day of April at Makati City, Philippines. ATICcS

(SGD.) HON. ANDREW A. SANCHEZChairman

(SGD.) HON. BIENVENIDO C. NILES, JR.Commissioner

(SGD.) HON./ATTY. WILFREDO J.A. DE UNGRIACommissioner

(SGD.) HON./ATTY. JOSE P.G. SANTILLAN, JR.Commissioner

(SGD.) HON. LYNDON NOEL B. GUCECommissioner

(SGD.) HON./ATTY. RAMON S. BAGATSING, JR.Commissioner

(SGD.) HON./ATTY. VICTOR V. TANTOCOCommissioner