NBI to probe Philracom anomalies

An official of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday they will send out subpoenas to individuals and groups next week as they start their investigation into the alleged irregularities at the Sta. Ana Race Park in Makati City.

Head Agent Arnel Dalumpines of the NBI-Special Task Force (STF) said they will ask Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) chairman Florencio Fianza and officials and members of the three racehorse owners organizations to shed light in their investigation.

The three groups are the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners (Marho), the Philippine Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Organization (Philtobo), and the Klub Don Juan de Manila (KDJM).

“We heard that Philracom Chairman Fianza went on a two-day trip abroad. We would immediately get in touch with him once he reports back to work,” Dalumpines said.

At present, they have only general information on a complaint about the alleged irregularities at the racetrack and would still have to conduct a deeper probe.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier ordered the NBI to look into reports of drug use, race fixing, handicap manipulations and illegal syndicates at the Sta. Ana Race Park in Makati City.

In a one-page letter, Fianza reportedly said, “What needs to be done is restore the integrity of horse racing...We believe the place to start is reforming the system and then introduce random drug testing.”

NBI Director Nestor Mantaring reportedly gave the STF a week or until Jan. 23 to submit a progress report on their investigation.

The group of racehorse owners had been calling for the resignation of Chairman Fianza and other members of the board from Philracom and had even boycotted the races to express their sentiments. But Fianza refused to vacate his position and said he served at the pleasure of the President.

Fianza clarified that he did not create the problems in the horse racing industry and that these problems already existed even before he came on board.

He added that allegations of his lack of knowledge and mismanagement were mere cover-ups. “What they want is to be able to appoint someone in my place whom they can control so that they can go on with their merry ways. They have been doing this with my immediate predecessors.”

But Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. of Marho insisted that their protest is based on legitimate issues.

Under Fianza, the commission only reportedly posted a one percent increase in income last year because of mismanagement, compared to previous years when their sales and profits could reach13 to 14 percent annually. Fianza also reportedly did not act on the problem of illegal bookies.