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IT’S OVER THE Bayang Karerista now has every reason to smile. The racing holiday that gripped this horseracing-loving country the past few days formally came to an end late yesterday following the appointment of a horseowner as officer In-Charge (OIC) of the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom). Jose Ferdinand Rojas II, a lawyer by profession and son-in.law of Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, was named provisional head of the country’s regulating body in horseracing, replacing controversial former police general Florencio Fianza and signaling the end of the impasse that shut down the operation of the multi-billion industry the past three days. According to Manila Jockey Club racing manager Ding Magboo, an eight-race program will be held today starting at 6 p.m. Magboo said they extended the deadline for the declaration of horses up to 7 last night upon request of many horse owners, enabling them to complete the usual 8-race lineup on a weekday. Owners began dedaring their horses Wednesday in the light of reports that the 60-year-old Fianza had been given the pink slip by President Macapagal-Arroyo. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita refused to say whether Fianza was indeed, sacked, “I would not even use the term. He is not in the position anymore. Somebody is taking his (place),” Ermita said, But asked whether the move to name Rojas as OIC of the Philracom had something to do with the difference of opinion between Fianza and three major groups of horse owners, Ermita admitted, “It’s quite obvious, ‘yun ang dahilan.” Over the week end, three major groups of horse owners — the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners (Mahro), Philippine Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Organization (Philtobo) and Klub Don Juan de Manila (KDJM) - decided to boycott the races, asking for the complete revamp of the Philracom board and the subsequent resignation of Fianza as chairman, whom they accused of implementing poor policies and directives. Fianza, however, stood his ground, saying all he’s concerned about is the interest of the betting public, especially in his move to revise the industry’s handicapping system. He also stressed the attack on him by the group has become very personal, stressing, “they don’t want someone who they cannot control. That’s the bottom line.” The standoff resulted in a racing holiday that cancelled scheduled races at the Santa Ana Park over the weekend and the San Lazaro Leisure Park last Tuesday and Wednesday. An estimated P4 million in taxes a day or a total of P16 million had been lost in the four days that no races were held. Apparently, one had to give way. Again, Ermita declined to directly say that Malacanang favored the horse owners over Fianza, the Special Envoy on Transnational Crime of the Arroyo administration, “All I can say, if there is something to be done in such activity as horse racing, we have to allow it (activity) to move forward. If there are problems, we have to solve it,” said the Executive Secretary. “It should be different from the personal sentiment of anybody. Ang mahalaga, yong ahensiya ay mapalakad ng maayos at kung may problema, hanapan ng solusyon.” According to Fianza, he will be leaving for New York tomorrow and then later on to San Francisco for an arms treaty agreement with the United States as part of his job as special envoy. “I could be gone for as long as two weeks. This is a more pressing matter that needs immediate attention. I am going there on the directive of Malacanang. And to begin with, this job (special envoy) is my first job before the Philracom,” he added without elaborating on his report ed replacement. Meanwhile, the protesting groups of horse owners readily welcomed the appointment of the 42-year- old Rojas, also director and corporate secretary of Philtobo. “This is a moral victory not just for horse owners but for all sectors of the racing industry. We want to thank President Arroyo for listening to our clamor for a change in the leadership of the Philracom. We also want to thank everybody who sacrificed with us while the racing holiday was in effect,” said Marho president and Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos. “We just hope he (Rojas) will not commit the same mistakes again,” said Aristeo ‘Putch’ Puyat, one of the prominent horse owners who spearheaded the boycott. Rojas finished his bachelor of arts at the University of Massachusetts and earned his law degree at Ateneo. He was appoint ed Philracom board member last year and served as board secretary of the Philippine National Oil Company from 1998 to 1999. He joined an illustrious list of previous Philracom chairmen that included former Ambassador Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco, the late Makati Mayor Nemesio Yabut, Augusto Santos, Nikki Jacinto, Jose Avelino, AmbussadorAntonio Lagdameo, Dick Katigbak, Andrew Sanchez and Jaime Dilag. Eric Tagle, Marho vice-president, said the horse owners will sit down with Rojas and ask about his program for the industry. “We want to have a clearer picture of the policies being implemented by the Philracom. But we are confident the new official at the helm of the racing body will listen to what we have to say. Meanwhile, the bayang karerista can now again enjoy the races,” Tagle said.
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