PHILRACOM Resolution No. 30-16

April 13, 2016

PHILRACOM RESOLUTION NO. 30-16

Excerpts from the minutes of the meeting of the Board of the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) held on 13 April 2016 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;

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 60 of the Rules and Procedures Governing the Conduct of Races as amended by Philracom Board Resolution No. 17-15 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;

WHEREAS, the Commission, in furtherance of its mandate to protect the betting public and the integrity of horse racing, needs to make sure that PR60 is strictly implemented. CHTAIc

NOW THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED, as it is hereby RESOLVED that in pursuance of the Board's aforementioned mandate, PR60 and its penalties be hereby amended, to wit:

PR 60. PROHIBITION AGAINST MOBILE PHONE USE IN RESTRICTED AREAS

The use or possession of cellular, or mobile phones, personal digital assistants, smartphones, and other similar communication devices that use wireless communication network or the internet, except hand-held radios or intercoms accredited by the Commission, shall not be allowed inside the following restricted areas: Stewards' and Judges' Stand, Jockeys' Quarters, Paddocks, Starting Gate and Computer Room. Such devices brought to these areas 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 it was confiscated, and the same shall be forfeited in favor of the Commission.

Any PHILRACOM Licensee caught in possession of cellular phones or any similar communication device described in the foregoing paragraph within the restricted areas shall be suspended.

 

Offense	Penalty
1st Offense	Six (6) months suspension and/or a fine of Thirty
	Thousand Pesos (Php30,000.00)
2nd Offense	One (1) year suspension and/or a fine of Sixty
	Thousand Pesos (Php60,000.00)
3rd Offense	Revocation of License and/or a fine of One Hundred
	Thousand Pesos (Php100,000.00)

 

 

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.

The Racing Clubs are hereby directed to promulgate rules and regulations with regard to non-licensed personnel who are caught in violation of this resolution.

Finally, 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, Paddock and Computer Room in such a manner that full view of the said places is afforded by said CCTV cameras, and footage 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 be given on-line access to the live recording of the CCTV cameras and audio equipment.

RESOLVED, FINALLY, that all other Rules contrary to or inconsistent with this Resolution are hereby deemed amended. This Resolution shall be effective fifteen (15) days after publication.

APPROVED AND SIGNED by the undersigned Chairman and Commissioners of the Philippine Racing Commission, this 13th day of April at Makati City, Philippines.

(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