2 House bodies OK horseracing authority

MANILA, Philippines -  Two House committees have approved a bill to replace the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) with the Philippine Thoroughbred Horseracing Authority (PTHA).

Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing, who chairs the committee on games and amusement, said his panel and the committee on government enterprises endorsed Bill 224 “to ensure the continued growth and expansion of the thoroughbred horseracing industry in the country.”

“It is imperative that we integrate all aspects of horseracing under one body which will orchestrate the activities of the entire sector to include not just horseracing but also horse breeding and the licensing of personnel involved in the sport,” he said.

He said the bill gives the proposed new agency exclusive supervision and control over all aspects of thoroughbred horseracing and horse breeding.

Its jurisdiction covers the importation and exportation of breeding stock, framing and scheduling of races, ownership, construction and safety of racetracks, allocation of prizes, and the security of horseracing, he added.

Bagatsing pointed out that interest in horseracing is growing.

“In fact, it has even become a highly specialized and sophisticated diversion, reaching the level of quality sport. As such, its operations and regulatory requirements need to be given more attention by the government,” he stressed.

In pushing for the approval of the bill, the Manila lawmaker lamented that other countries have surpassed the Philippines in terms of innovations in the industry even though it has a hundred years’ head start on organized thoroughbred horseracing over other Asian nations.