Monday, January 07, 2008 Palace to investigate row in racing agency
MALACAÑANG is looking into the alleged dispute at the Philippine Racing Commission that resulted in a horseracing holiday last week.
Deputy Presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said rather than immediately acting on the call of the horse owners and breeders for a total revamp in the commission, they prefer to get all their facts first and get to the bottom of the incident.
"The Palace is seriously looking into the concerns of horse owners. Rather than act hastily on the issue, we will continue gathering facts and together with all concerned sectors, will come out with a solution soon," Fajardo said.
The Metropolitan Race Horse Owners (Marho), Philippine Thoroughbred and Breeders Organization (Philtobo) and Klub Don Juan de Manila (KDJM) on Friday boycotted the races at the Santa Ana Park in Makati City and San Lazaro Leisure Park (SSLP) in Carmona, Cavite, threatening to continue their protest until Philracom chairman Florencio Fianza and the members of his board resigned from their post or are replaced by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr., who acted as spokesman of the group, said there would be no races at least until Wednesday. He said he would personally meet the President to hand over a letter detailing their complaints.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said no date has been set for the meeting yet.
Among their complaints were the alleged mismanagement and incompetence of the Philracom leadership. Aside from Fianza, the other members of the Philracom board are Eddie Jose, Boboc Domingo, Eyot Fernandez and Vergel Santos. (JMR/Sunnex)
