TOP officials of the Metro Manila Turf Club Inc. that operates the racing track in Malvar, Batangas stressed over the weekend that they merely complied with the existing provisions of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion Law when they collected a 20 percent tax on bets.
“We were merely following the Train law regarding these taxes since we awaited orders from Malacanang regarding the issue,” MMTCI auditor Jun Ferrer said in a press conference at the Manila Orchid Garden Suites.
MMTCI chairman Atty. Narciso Morales said the MMTCI took the initiative in June 2022 in appealing to Malacanang that the taxes be reverted back to 10 percent as contained in the law granting the club’s franchise, which was renewed for another 25 years.
“It was only last May 9 when the Office of the President approved the rollback to 10 percent from the present 20 percent,” both officials said, adding after the Palace issued the order, they reverted back to the previous levy.
Morales and Ferrer explained that they needed to clarify the issue after a group of 60 horse trainers and grooms allegedly signed a petition to the Games Amusements Board, which supervises the local horseracing betting operations, asking for the suspension of the MMTCI track in Batangas.
