Press Release
July 31, 2009

PIMENTEL OPPOSES GREYHOUND RACING

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today opposed a proposal to introduce greyhound racing in the Philippines even as he called on the people to turn to wholesome forms of entertainment.

Pimentel said greyhound racing should not be allowed in the country for two main reasons: first, it is characterized by practices that are cruel to animals and second, it will entice the people to engage in another form of gambling which is an unproductive activity.

"Greyhound racing will only undermine the efforts of government and society to promote animal welfare," he said.

The lawmaker noted that this is an industry which requires breeding and killing of thousands of greyhound dogs. A minimum of 800 greyhounds are needed to operate one race track and in practice, a large number of these dogs are "euthanized" or killed each year if they are no longer fit to race.

Pimentel said there are already too many kinds of gambling in the country that include jueteng, small town lottery, on-line lotto, cockfighting, horse racing, sakla, masiao, colorum jai alai and casino games.

The minority leader lamented that casino outlets have sprouted in Metro Manila with little regard for government rules that prohibit gambling establishments within a 200-meter radius from churches and schools to prevent youngsters from being exposed to it.

He said the planned introduction of greyhound racing is totally a abhorrent because it will only reinforce the negative image for the Philippines as "nation of gamblers."

"I think it is a wrong policy to entice the people to bet their hard-earned money in gambling. It creates the false notion that they can improve their lives

Pimentel said he could not understand why greyhound racing, which is a dying industry in the United States and other countries, should be imported into the Philippines.

According to reports, 27 race tracks in the US have closed down since 199l because more and more people are boycotting this cruel form of animal racing. Barbados, Haiti and Indonesia have all closed their race tracks due to declining attendance.

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