PHL Racing Commission revamp not a priority says president Aquino

President Benigno Aquino III said Tuesday that he has no plans to replace officials of the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) any time soon despite a protest from horseowners' groups.

During a press briefing at the Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental, Aquino said he still needs to be briefed by the Office of the Executive Secretary regarding issues raised by the horseowners.

"Before I comment on whether there is a need to revamp, can I just get a thorough briefing of what the entire problem is? And then sorry kung hindi ko sila number one na priority at this time," the President said.

Last week, members of the Philippine Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Organization, the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners and the Klub Don Juan de Manila staged a racing holiday to protest Philracom's supposed failure to perform its role to promote horse racing in the country, which supposedly led to decline in their sales.

The horseowners' organizations also blamed the Philracom for unresolved issues in horse racing, such as the scheduling of races and the unification of the betting system.

Under Presidential Decree 420, the six-member Philracom was tasked "to promote and maintain efficient and unbiased operation of racing exclusive of the supervision of betting" in the country. It is also in-charge of improving the breed of Philippine horses and preventing illegal importation of race horses. - AMD, GMA News