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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._4485__

Introduced by REP. RODEL M. BATOCABE, REP. ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr.,
AND REP. CHRISTOPHER S. CO

AN ACT AMENDING PD 420 OR PRESIDENTIAL DECREE CREATING THE
PHILIPPINE RACING COMMISSION, TO INCLUDE OTHER KINDS OF ANIMAL
RACING UNDER THE JURISIDICTION AND CONTROL OF THE PHILIPPINE
RACING COMMISSION

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to include other kinds of animal racing like dog racing and
pigeon racing under the supervision and control of the Philippine Racing
Commission (Philracom),

Animal racing has long been a source of entertainment and excitement for
many people. The racing industry along with related industries is a source of revenue
and income for different sectors.

In the Philippines, animal racing is limited to horse racing, which is regulated
and supervised by the Philracom, by virtue of PD 420 which was issued on March
20, 1974. The law envisioned the direct and accelerated growth of horse racing to
be a source of revenue and employment.

Over the years, horse racing became a good source of income for the
government, until recently when horse racing revenues has dwindled due to high
taxes, lower cash prizes and the growth of other forms of gambling like the ‘lotto’.

Meanwhile, there are other kinds of animal racing that could also be
developed and promoted for recreation and revenue. We have dog or greyhound
racing and pigeon racing as examples. These two kinds of animal racing have their
own share of enthusiasts such that if supervised and controlled by the Philracom,
they would surely add to the government's revenue from animal racing

@DEL M. BATOCABE ALFREDO K> BIN Jr. CHRISTOPHER S. CO

view of the above circumstances, the swift passage of the bill is earnestly



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BIC No._4485

Introduced by REP. RODEL M. BATOCABE, REP. ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr.,
AND REP. CHRISTOPHER S. CO

AN ACT AMENDING PD 420 OR PRESIDENTIAL DECREE CREATING THE
PHILIPPINE RACING COMMISSION, TO INCLUDE OTHER KINDS OF ANIMAL
RACING UNDER THE JURISIDICTION AND CONTROL OF THE PHILIPPINE
RACING COMMISSION

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled.
Section 1. Section 1 of P.D. 420, as amended, is hereby further amended to read
as follows:
Section 1. DECLARATION OF POLICY, It is the declared policy to
promote and direct the accelerated development and continued growth of [herse-
dog or

racing] animal racing, including but not limited to horse raci
greyhound racing, and pigeon racing not only in pursuance of [the} sports
development program but also in order to insure the full exploitation of [the] these
kinds of sport as a source of revenue and employment.

Section 2. Section 3 of P.D. 420, as amended, is hereby further amended to read
as follows:
Section 3, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. The Commission shall have the
following aims and objectives:
a. To promote and maintain efficient and unbiased operation of racing
exclusive of the supervision of betting therein;
b. To raise public confidence in the sport and minimize infraction of the rules
of racing; and
c. To improve the breed of Philippine [horses] race animals such as
horses, greyhounds and pigeon, and to prevent the illegal importation
of [raeeherses] these race animals.

Section 3. Section 8 of P.D. 420, as amended, is hereby further amended to read
as follows:


Section 8. JURISDICTION, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. Generally, the
Commission shall have exclusive jurisdiction and control over aspect of the conduct
of [Rerse-racing} animal racing, including the framing and scheduling of races, the
construction and safety of animal racing tracks, the allocation of prizes, and the
security of racing,

XXX

Section 4. Section 9, paragraphs (a), (c), (e), and (g) of P.D. 420, as amended, is
hereby further amended to read as follows:

SPECIFIC POWERS. Specifically, the Commission shall have the power:

a. To enforce all laws, decrees and executive orders relating to animal racing,
such as horse-racing, dog or greyhound racing, and pigeon racing that
are not expressly or impliedly repealed or modified by this Decree, including
all such existing rules and regulations until otherwise modified or amended
by the Commission;

b. xxx
c. To register race [horses] animals, [horse] race animal owners, and

associations or federations thereof, and to regulate the construction of race
tracks and to grant permit for the holding of races;

d. xxx

e. To review, modify, approve or disapprove the rules and regulations issued by
any person or entity concerning the conduct of [herse] animal races held by
them;

f xxx

g. To prohibit the use of improper devices, drugs stimulants or other means to

enhance or diminish the speed of [horses] race animals or materially harm
their condition;

Section 5. Section 10, paragraph (c) of P.D. 420, as amended, is hereby amended
to read as follows:
SECTION 10. OTHER POWERS AND DUTIES:

XXX

c. Except in cases where summary actions are taken, in the settlement of
dispute and other problems connected with the conduct of [herse-racing] animal


racing, the Commission shall act as a body and all hearings and investigations
before it shall be governed by the rules of procedures as may be adopted by it;
PROVIDED, That orders, rulings and decisions may be appealed to the President
Of the Philippines within seventy-two hours from receipt of such order, ruling and
decisions,

Section 6. Repealing Clause. Alll laws, decrees, ordinances, rules, and regulations,
executive or administrative orders, and such other presidential issuances which are
inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
otherwise modified accordingly.

Section 7. Separability Clause. If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions not affected thereby.

Section 8. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,
whichever comes earlier.

Approved,