Philippine Racing Commission

Last updated

Philippine Racing Commission
Komisyon ng Karera sa Pilipinas
Philippine Racing Commission Logo.png
Seal
Government agency overview
Formed1974 (1974)
Type Sports governing body
Jurisdiction Horse racing in the Philippines
Government agency executives
  • Aurelio de Leon, Chairman
  • Ronald Corpuz, Director
Key document
Website philracom.gov.ph

The Philippine Racing Commission (Filipino : Komisyon ng Karera sa Pilipinas [1] ), abbreviated as Philracom, is a government agency under the Office of the President that functions as the supervisory and regulating body of horse racing in the Philippines. The agency was established on March 20, 1974, through Presidential Decree No. 420 signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos. [2]

Contents

The supervision and regulation of the betting aspect of horseracing is handled by the Games and Amusement Board. [3]

In April 2016, Philracom was accepted as a member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. [4] [5]

History

Old logo of Philracom Philippine Racing Commission old.png
Old logo of Philracom

Republic Act No. 309, An Act to Regulate Horse Racing in the Philippines, was promulgated in 1948. It established the Commission on Races which was mandated to supervise and regulate the sport. [6]

In 1950, Executive Order No. 392 signed by then-president Elpidio Quirino created the Games and Amusements Board (GAB). The duties and functions of the Commission on Racing as well as the Boxing and Wrestling Commission and "the Jai-Alai" [sic] were transferred to the newly-created GAB. [7]

Philracom was founded in 1974 to handle the growing Philippine Thoroughbred industry, which not only included racing among its activities but also breeding. Horses and feeds were increasingly being imported from abroad, and the Philracom regulated related processes and procedures.

The duties and functions related to horse racing that had been with GAB were transferred to Philracom, except for supervision and regulation of betting which was a function retained by GAB as provided for in Sections 6, 11, 15, 18 and 24 of Republic Act No. 309, and by PD 420. [8]

The agency also implemented greater supervision over the conduct of the sport and wagering system, instituting live broadcast coverage of the races, photo patrol cameras, and other innovations of the time that protected the interest of the betting public.

Leadership

The Commission is presently composed of one chairman and six commissioners. All are appointive positions. Each commissioner represents a sector of the horse racing industry - horseowners, jockeys, trainers, and the racing public. The commissioners meet regularly to deliberate upon matters of policy, direct strategy, and formulate and amend Philippine horse racing rules and regulations. [9]

1975–1978: Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. (chairman); Asterio Favis, Alfonso S. Lacson.

1978–1986: Nemesio I. Yabut (chairman); Alfonso S. Lacson, Asterio G. Favis, Enrique P. Romualdez, Federico B. Moreno.

1986–1989: Augusto Benedicto L. Santos (chairman); Amado S. Bagatsing, Jose Y. Quiros, Rogerio P. Gonzales III, Nicanor P. Jacinto III, Federico B. Moreno, Samuel S. Sharuff.

1989–1993: Nicanor P. Jacinto III (chairman); Jose B. Loberiza, Jaime A. Dilag, Fernando C. Carrascoso, Danilo A. Marasigan, Eduardo C. Domingo Jr.

1993–1994: Jose C. Avelino Jr. (chairman); Eduardo C. Domingo Jr., Alberto M. de Castro, Francisco Paulino V. Cayco, Antonio M. Lagdameo, Melvin A. Vargas, Danilo A. Marasigan.

1994–1998: Antonio M. Lagdameo (chairman); Eduardo C. Domingo Jr., Alberto M. de Castro, Lorenzo M. Alberto, Fortunato J. Jayme, Mario M. Oreta, Francisco Paulino V. Cayco.

1998–2001: Benedicto K. Katigbak (chairman); Eduardo C. Domingo Jr., Ramon R. Balatbat, Eduardo T. Galang, Victor V. Tantoco, Dante R. Arevalo, Enrique P. Romualdez.

2001–2002: Andrew A. Sanchez (chairman); Jaime A. Dilag, Francis B. Trillana Jr., Lyndon Noel B. Guce, Vergel A. Cruz, Rogelio A. Tandiama, Antonio C. Alcasid Sr., Felizardo R. Sevilla Jr.

2002–2006: Jaime A. Dilag (chairman); Rogelio A. Tandiama, Eduardo C. Domingo Jr., Vergel A. Cruz, Reynaldo G. Fernando, Francis B. Trillana Jr., Marlon C. Cunanan, Felizardo R. Sevilla Jr., Eduardo B. Jose.

2006–2008: Florencio D. Fianza Jr. (chairman); Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II, Eduardo C. Doming Jr., Vergel A. Cruz, Reynaldo G. Fernando, Victor V. Tantoco.

2008–2011: Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II (chairman); Gerardo J. Espina, Eduardo C. Domingo Jr., Vergel A. Cruz, Reynaldo G. Fernando, Victor V. Tantoco, and James Erving L. Paman.

2011–February 6, 2015: Angel L. Castano Jr. (chairman); Reynaldo G. Fernando, Victor V. Tantoco, Lyndon Noel B. Guce, Franco L. Loyola, Eduardo B. Jose, and Jesus B. Cantos.

February 7, 2015–February 28, 2019: Andrew A. Sanchez (chairman); Ramon S. Bagatsing Jr., Lyndon Noel B. Guce, Bienvenido C. Niles Jr., Jose P.G. Santillan Jr., Victor V. Tantoco, and Wilfredo Jefferson A. de Ungria (commissioners).

2019–2020: Andrew A. Sanchez (chairman); Lyndon Noel B. Guce, Dante M. Lantin, [10] Bienvenido C. Niles Jr., Victor V. Tantoco, and Wilfredo Jefferson A. de Ungria (commissioners).

2020–present: Aurelio "Reli" P. de Leon (chairman); Dante M. Lantin, Jose S. Embang, Jr., Victor V. Tantoco, and Lyndon Noel B. Guce (commissioners).

Programs

Philracom Trainers Academy [11] In 2015 the Commission, in order to professionalize the horse training sector, established the Philracom Trainers' Academy. It offers a two-year course for horse trainers. The Academy's administrators are veterinarians Dr. Ceferino Maala, member of the National Academy of Science and Technology, and Dr. Romy Modomo, equine medicine practitioner.

In 2017, the Academy graduated its first cohort of trainers, which took the batch name 'First Impact'. Among their members are trainers Dr. Grace Sandoval and Dewey Santos. A second round of training will be opened in April 2019.

The Academy is structured upon the 'educational cohort model', defined as "purposefully grouped students entering and pursuing a program of study together, characterized by social and cultural processes, shared experiences and interactions, collective efforts, and mutual commitment to an educational goal" (Horn, 2001; Maher, 2001, 2005; McPhail, 2000; Norris & Barnett, 1994; Yerkes, Basom, Barnett, & Norris, 1995). Specifically, the Academy follows the 'closed-cohort format', where students are "admitted as an identified group, and provided with a specific rotation of courses over a defined period of time" (Barnett & Muse, 1993; Maher, 2001, 2005). [12]

Corporate Social Responsibility Program [13] Philracom also sponsors charity races for qualified beneficiaries, wherein the prize of the day is donated to the chosen recipient. The agency also holds regular medical and dental missions for the racing community, blood-letting sessions in cooperation with the Red Cross (national), tree-plantings, clothes donations drives, and other initiatives.

Sponsored Stakes Races The Commission regularly sponsors stakes races that provide prize money higher than the usual prize of the day. Among its important annual events are the Commissioner's Cup, the Philippine Triple Crown series (held in summer), Lakambini Stakes (for 3YO fillies), the Ambassador Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. Cup (also known as the ECJ Cup), Grand Sprint Championship, and the Chairman's Cup. Stakes races are also staged for local and imported horses, for juveniles, 3YO, and older horses, and for colts and fillies.

Awards

Philracom Awards

In 2016, the agency inaugurated the annual Philracom Awards, a recognition program that honors the top industry performers of the year. [14]

Summary

EditionAwarding ceremony dateVenueLocationRef.
1stFebruary 14, 2016 San Lazaro Leisure Park Carmona, Cavite [14]
2ndMarch 24, 2017 Saddle and Clubs Leisure Park Naic, Cavite
3rdJanuary 28, 2018 San Lazaro Leisure Park Carmona, Cavite
4thJanuary 20, 2019 San Lazaro Leisure Park Carmona, Cavite

Awardees

1st Philracom Awards: [15] Horse Owner of the Year: Narciso O. Morales; Horse Trainer of the Year: Ruben S. Tupas; Jockey of the Year: Ruben S. Tupas; Most Successful Racing Day: 7th Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Sr. Racing Festival; Breeder of the Year: SC Stockfarm, Inc.

2nd Philracom Awards: [16] Horse of the Year: Low Profile; Horse Owner of the Year: Narciso O. Morales; Horse Breeder of the Year: SC Stockfarm, Inc.; Jockey of the Year: Jonathan B. Hernandez; Trainer of the Year: Ruben S. Tupas; Most Successful Racing Festival of the Year: 8th Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Sr. Racing Festival; Racing Club of the Year: Philippine Racing Club, Inc.

3rd Philracom Awards: [17] Stakes Racehorse and Top Earning Racehorse of the Year: Sepfourteen; Stakes Races Horse Owner of the Year: SC Stockfarm, Inc.; Top Earning Horse Owner of the Year: Narciso O. Morales; Stakes Races Horse Trainer of the Year: Tomasito E. Santos; Top Earning Horse Trainer of the Year: Ruben S. Tupas; Stakes Races Jockey of the Year: John Alvin Guce; Top Earning Jockey of the Year: O'Neal P. Cortez; Horse Breeder of the Year: SC Stockfarm, Inc.; Most Successful Racing Festival of the Year: 9th Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Sr. Racing Festival; Racing Club of the Year (total horse prizes): Manila Jockey Club, Inc.; Racing Club of the Year (total gross sales): Metro Manila Turf Club, Inc.

4th Philracom Awards: [18] Stakes Racehorses of the Year: tie between Pride of Laguna and Smart Candy; Top Earning Horse of the Year: Sepfourteen; Stakes Races Horse Owner of the Year: SC Stockfarm, Inc.; Top Earning Horse Owner of the Year: Narciso O. Morales; Stakes Races Horse Trainer of the Year: Ruben S. Tupas; Top Earning Horse Trainer of the Year: Ruben S. Tupas; Stakes Races Jockey of the Year: Jesse B. Guce; Top Earning Jockey of the Year: O'Neal P. Cortez; Horse Breeder of the Year: Leonardo M. Javier Jr.; Most Successful Racing Festival of the Year: Manila Horsepower, Inc.; Racing Club of the Year (total horse prizes): Manila Jockey Club, Inc.; Racing Club of the Year (total gross sales): Philippine Racing Club, Inc.

Hall of Fame

The Philracom Hall of Fame was instituted in 2022. [19] [20] [21]

YearInducteesRef.
2022No information
2023Jose "Pepe" Saulog (jockey), Joe Noel Camu (jockey),Jesse Guce (jockey), Patricio Dilema (jockey), JB Hernandez (jockey), Manuel "Maning" Henson (trainer), Ray Henson (trainer), Ruben Tupas (trainer), Rolando "Rolly" Rojas, Henry Cojuangco, and Putch Puyat, Peping Cojuangco, Antonio Manuel "Tonette" Lagdameo, Fernando Poe Jr., Jose “Bebo” Quiroz, Hermie Esguerra [21]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Mga Pangalan ng Tanggapan ng Pamahalaan sa Filipino (PDF) (2013 ed.). Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino. p. 6. ISBN   978-971-0197-22-4.
  2. ↑ "Presidential Decree 420". Philippine Racing Commission. Office of the President of the Philippines. March 20, 1974. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Presidential Decree 420".
  4. ↑ "Philracom gains international nod". Tempo. October 26, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Philracom joins world racing body". Manila Standard Sports. Manila Standard. October 26, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  6. ↑ Chan Robles. "Republic Act No. 309". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Chan Robles Law. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Executive Order No. 392, s. 1950". Official Gazette. Philippine government. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Presidential Decree No. 420". The Lawphil Project. Arellano Law Foundation. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  9. ↑ Philacom records. Philippine Racing Commission.
  10. ↑ "Philippine Daily Inquirer, "Duterte appoints retired cop, former transport exec"". newsinfo.inquirer.net. March 5, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  11. ↑ Board Resolution No. 55-15. Philippine Racing Commission. September 16, 2015.
  12. ↑ Pemberton, Cynthia Lee; Akkary, Rima Karami (June 2010). "A Cohort, is a Cohort, is a Cohort... Or is it?" (PDF). Journal of Research on Leadership Education. 5 (5): 179–180. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  13. ↑ Philracom records. Philippine Racing Commission.
  14. 1 2 Ortuoste, Jenny (January 15, 2019). "4th Philracom Awards honor horseracing's best". Manila Standard. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  15. ↑ Board Resolution No. 15-16. Philippine Racing Commission. February 3, 2016.
  16. ↑ Board Resolution No. 08-17. Philippine Racing Commission. February 1, 2017.
  17. ↑ Board Resolution No. 28-17. Philippine Racing Commission. June 21, 2017.
  18. ↑ Board Resolution No. 55-17. Philippine Racing Commission. December 20, 2017.
  19. ↑ Satumbaga-Villar, Kristel (February 8, 2022). "Philracom lines up big races, exhibit, first-ever Hall of Fame". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  20. ↑ Andaya, Ed (February 7, 2022). "Alba, Cojuangco head Hall of Fame nominees". Journalnews. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  21. 1 2 "Hermie Esquerra, leads horseracing Hall of Fame inductees". BusinessMirror. December 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
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