LIM |
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It's
"business as usual" for operators of the illegal
numbers game swertres as City Mayor Dan Lim accuses
the national government's inconsistent policy towards
illegal gambling.
During
an interview over dyRD's Inyong Alagad yesterday, the
mayor categorically denies receiving "protection
money" from financiers here.
Lim
declared that Provincial Police Director SSupt. Edgardo
Ingking's call for an all out war against swertres is
"only good in theory" but is impractical.
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Although
the city mayor said he sympathizes with Ingking, the police
provincial director's campaign against the illegal numbers
game could not succeed as "the government's policy on
illegal gambling, particularly on swertres is inconsistent.
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The
mayor pointed out that while the government has initially
declared that swertres is illegal, it later used the
daily Sweepstakes Lotto draws of the Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to also hold swertres draws.
The government, through the PCSO has allowed swertres
betting and even went further by holding two lotteries
everyday.
According
to Lim, aside from the inconsistency, he also finds
no serious implementation of anti illegal gambling laws.
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Likewise,
the mayor cited the minimal penalties for those who are apprehended
for illegal gambling.
Lim
said he does not agree that gambling has become a culture
for Filipinos.
He
said many of the unemployed resort to betting in an illegal
numbers game such as swertres in the hope of winning a big
amount of money as a means of meeting their daily needs.
According
to Lim, he will get the overall sentiment of city residents
regarding swertres. If the public decides that it should be
eradicated, then he will lead in the campaign.
The
mayor said that the only way to eliminate the illegal betting
of swertres is to stop the PCSO draws and closing down lottery
outlets.
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