The Philracom Board passed and approved in July, 1995 the matter of deregulation of the Board of Stewards/Handicapping Rules as per Resolution No. 63-95.

By virtue of the said deregulation, the Commission (Philippine Racing Commission) transferred to the racing clubs its power of control and supervision over the conduct of races during racing days.

Resolution No. 63-95 (Deregulation of the Board of Stewards) highlights the following provisions:

œSECTION 118. CLUB OFFICIALS AND PERSONNEL - Racing clubs shall have the following officials and personnel:

a.    Racing Manager and Asst. Racing Manager
b.    Board of Stewards
c.    x        x          x          x
d.    x        x          x          x
e.    x        x          x          x
f.     Club Handicappers (as amended)

SECTION 4.2    COMPENSATION - The compensation of the Stewards shall be for the account of the Racing Clubs

SECTION 121.  DECISIONS AND RULINGS OF THE BOARD OF STEWARDS - Proceeding before the Board of Stewards shall be summary in nature. Any decision, order or ruling of the Board of Stewards shall be rendered only after hearing, with notice to all parties concerned, unless a summary proceeding is necessary as determined by the Board of Stewards . . .

SECTION 124.  ORDINARY APPEAL - The decisions, orders or ruling of the Board of Stewards shall be immediately executory. They shall become final unless an appeal is made to the racing club management, thru its Chief Executive Officer or Racing Manager, within seventy-two (72) hours from knowledge of such decision, order or ruling.

SECTION 125 .  An appeal from the decisions of the Chief Executive Officer of the Racing Manager of the racing club is filed with PHILRACOM within seventy-two (72) hours from knowledge of such decisions, orders or rulings.

SECTION 134.  APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT. - All the decisions, orders or rulings of the PHILRACOM are final unless appealed to the Office of the President within seventy two (72) hours from receipt of such decisions, order or ruling by the aggrieved party.

SECTION 4.9     PENALTY FOR STEWARDS. - For failure to comply with the provisions of these rules and regulations, orders resolutions or decisions of the PHILRACOM or for gross incompetence, bias or negligence in the performance of his duties, a Steward shall be punished by a fine of not exceeding One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) and at the discretion of the PHILRACOM by the suspension or revocation of his license. 

SECTION 24.0  HANDICAPPING - The Handicapping of horses for races held in duly licensed Racing Clubs shall be prepared by the Club ™s official handicappers subject to PHILRACOM ™S approval. For this purpose each Racing Club must have at least one (1) licensed handicapper.

The PHILRACOM has the power to monitor the racing club with respect to their supervision and if found to be abusing its discretion, the Commission can impose the penalty on the Racing Manager who represents the club.

SECTION 20.1  PENALTY FOR RACING MANAGER . - For failure to comply with the provision of these rules and regulations, for any misrepresentation and false certification, the Racing Manager shall be punished by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00 but not more than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) and/or by the suspension or revocation of his license.

With regards to the racing club, the power of the Commission is stipulated as follows:

SECTION 11.    CLUB RULES AND REGULATIONS - Racing clubs shall promulgate their own internal rules and regulations provided the same do not conflict with any law, decree, ordinance or rules and regulations. Provided, further, that they shall be submitted to the PHILRACOM for approval before enforcing them and provided that these rules and regulations should be published in a newspaper of general circulation. Failure to comply with this requirement shall be a ground for the revocation or suspension of license to operate.

In the enforcement of all laws, decrees and executive orders relating to horse racing, the Commission has the power to review, modify, approve or disapprove rules and regulations based on its sound discretion and in pursuance of the interest of the common good of the racing public.

For your guidance.

24 May 2000

(SGD.) JUAN P. LOZANO
Executive Director III