The Laoag Diocese has condemned the resurgence of jueteng in the province, which the priests said, is being operated under the protective mantle of the government-sponsored small town lottery (STL). The priests, through a pastoral letter that was read in all Catholic parishes around Ilocos Norte last May 7, said, “Since there was no valid argument for jueteng, this archaic social evil is now called STL.” It was the first occasion that the priests had publicly rebuked the government’s lottery game even as no local franchises had been approved for its operation. “As we were contemplating on amending our old and evil ways during the Lent, the government was busy contemplating on amending the name and mechanics of an old and tempting evil. And as we were celebrating the resurrection (of the Lord), the government shamelessly took the front pages, gladly announcing the resurgence of a social evil that we all thought has died forever,” said the strongly worded pastoral letter. While there has been no application for STL franchises, the Ilocos Norte provincial board has started deliberating on a measure backing the STL’s operation noting that the lottery will expand the revenues of local government units out of the percentage derived from bets. Several mayors have indicated their support to the government lottery during a public hearing conducted by the board as a result of the STL measure. But reports reaching the Philippine National Police showed that jueteng collectors have resumed soliciting bets in nearly all Ilocos Norte towns including Laoag. P/Supt. Juan Luna, PNP provincial director, however, said “the bet collection might be a test-run for the STL.” “STL or jueteng or both, we condemn it. We also condemn the carefree enthusiasm of the government in promoting the STL. We condemn the utter disregard, indifference and silence of our local authorities in allowing the vicious ploy of shrouding the illegality of jueteng within the legality of STL,” the priests said. The priests reminded authorities that they can stop illegal gambling if they want to as shown in the past when jueteng operations totally ceased. The priests said they even signed a certification that jueteng had ceased due to the anti-illegal gambling campaign that the police and local leaders have waged. “When you furnished us those documents, we thought that it was because you wished it that you were able to stop it. It was a tangible proof of your Christian capacity to uphold what is right,” they said. “(But now) with the legal muscle of STL, the old jueteng polyetos are being waved everywhere and much to our dismay, nobody dares to stop it (while) it is happening within the reach and sight of officials,” the priests added. Meanwhile, Laoag City Mayor Michael V. Farińas welcomed the clergy’s position on the issue but he stated that he does not have the power or right to stop the legalized numbers game if and when higher authorities would order it. He went on to say that he is favor of STL operation provided it would be legal. The mayor however disclosed that he is also puzzled about the legality of the numbers game that is currently operating in the city and in the province currently as he vowed to order a thorough investigation of the issue. Dominic B. dela Cruz and Cristina Arzadon
|
|