G.R. No. L-12727; February 29, 1960
MANILA JOCKEY CLUB, INC., petitioner-appellant, vs. GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS BOARD, ET AL., respondents-appellees. PHILIPPINE RACING CLUB, INC., petitioner-intervenor-appellant.

FACTS

Petitioner Manila Jockey Club, Inc., with intervenor Philippine Racing Club, Inc., filed a petition for declaratory relief. They sought an interpretation of Republic Acts Nos. 309 and 1502 regarding the allocation of horse racing days. Specifically, they contended that the six additional sweepstakes races authorized for the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) under Republic Act No. 1502 should be held on six of the twelve Saturdays reserved for the President for charitable purposes under Section 4 of Republic Act No. 309 (as amended), or on any weekday other than Sunday, Saturday, or a legal holiday. They also argued that the PCSO could not compel the use of their race tracks and equipment without consent. The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) had resolved to accommodate the six additional PCSO races by reducing the number of Sundays allocated to private racing clubs. The lower court ruled that the PCSO was authorized to hold one regular sweepstakes draw and race on a Sunday not reserved for specific charitable institutions, thereby reducing the Sundays allocable to private entities.

ISSUE

The primary issue is the proper placement or scheduling of the six additional sweepstakes races authorized for the PCSO under Republic Act No. 1502, specifically whether they should be taken from the Sundays allocated to private racing clubs or from other days as argued by the appellants.

RULING

The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s decision. The Court held that the GAB acted within its discretion in allocating the six additional PCSO races from the Sundays previously available to private racing clubs. The law (Republic Act No. 309, as amended) specifically reserved certain Sundays and Saturdays for named charitable institutions and the President. The remaining racing days, including “Sundays not reserved under this Act,” were merely permissive for private entities, subject to GAB’s licensing and determination. Since Republic Act No. 1502 authorized additional races without specifying days, the GAB had to accommodate them from the available, unreserved days. The Court rejected the appellants’ arguments: (1) holding races on weekdays is not authorized by law; (2) sweepstakes races have traditionally required a full Sunday; (3) legislative debate excerpts were not controlling over the statute’s clear language and established practice; and (4) the additional authorization was for “regular sweepstakes draws and races,” implying separate full-day events, not mere insertions into existing club race days. The Court also found no deprivation of property without due process, as the PCSO used the clubs’ facilities under separate lease contracts with rental payments.