Republic of the Philippines Is * re COVER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES p e OZ “a
Quezon City, Metro Manila ,

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 887

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This measure, the Philippine Jockeys Retirement Act of 2013, whose aim is to reduce
retirement age of racehorse jockeys from 60) to 55, was originally filed last 14” Congress as HB 6511
and was extensively discussed in the Committee on Labor and Employment and was approved on
‘Third and Final Reading on January 19, 2010 in the House of Representatives. During the 15"
Congress, it was again re-filed as HB 4205, approved by the Committee on Labor and Employment
per Committee Report 632 and was approved by the plenary on Third and Final Reading. For lack
of material time on the part of the Senate, this measure was not enacted into law.

At present, all racehorse jockeys, who are all members of the New Philippine Jockeys’
‘Association argue that their retirement age pegged at 60 years old by virtue of Republic Act 1161, as
amended by Republic 8282 (Social Security Act of 1997) is no longer proper as their jobs require a lot
of physical exertion. The Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM), which is the regulatory
body governing the racing industry, has set the retirement age of jockeys at 55 years old, regardless
of their mental and physical abilities. Hence, jockeys aged 55-60 are no longer allowed to race
competitively and are practically retired but they cannot draw their pension until they reach the age
of 60.

Immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ATTY. MAGTANGGOL T. GUNIGUNDO I


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo.__ 887

Introduced by ATTY. MAGTANGGOL T. GUNIGUNDO I

AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLE 287 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 442, AS
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF THE
PHILIPPINES BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE 287-A REDUCING THE
RETIREMENT AGE OF RACE HORSE JOCKEYS FROM SIXTY (60) TO
FIFTY-FIVE (55).

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Race Horse Jockeys
Retirement Act of 2013.”

Section 2. Retirement. - ‘The Labor Code is hereby amended by adding a new Article 287-
A to read as follows:

“ART. 287-A. Retirement Age for Race Horse Jockeys. ~ A professional race horse
jockey, who is duly licensed by the Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM),
‘shall be compulsorily retired upon reaching the age of tifty-five (55) years, and shall
be entitled to all the retirement benefits provided for under Article 287 of this Code.

Nothing in this article shall deprive any race horse jockey of the benefits he is
entitled to under existing laws, company policies or practices.”

Section 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ‘he Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE), the Social Security System (SSS), the Philippine Racing Commission
(PHILRACOM) and the New Philippine Jockeys’ Association, Inc. (TNPJAI) shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act within thirty (30) days
from its effectivity.

Section 4. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules and
regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 5. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approve,