 MEDROSO | | The
move to allow the operation of Small Town Lottery (STL) in the province will be
strongly blocked by the Church.
This
was the categorical statement issued by Bishop Leonardo Medroso of the Diocese
of Tagbilaran who articulated on the ill effects of gambling, whether legal or
illegal.
He
said that when people resort to gambling, it destroys their productiveness and
encourages idleness in mind and body since they will simply depend and hope to
win in their daily bets.
"False hope," is what gambling will
inculcate in the minds of the people, the bishop stressed. |
The
statement of the church leader came a day after reports surfaced that Rep. Adam
Jala (3rd dist), vice chairman of the House committee on government enterprises,
is spearheading the campaign for the entry of STL here.
In
a separate interview with the Chronicle, the young solon believes that STL is
the only way to eradicate the rampant illegal numbers game of swertres in the
province. He
said that while proceeds of the illegal swertres goes solely to the financiers
and ushers, STL can bring wider benefits to government.
The
solon said aside from contributing to the charity fund of the Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the municipalities where the STL operates will get
10 percent share and another 5 percent goes to the provincial government. The
STL will ensure the bettors of their legitimate winnings while a gainful employment
will be generated through the various STL centers to be opened here.
Bishop
Medroso said the Church does not believe on the premise that operating STL can
eradicate the illegal numbers game. Instead, it will further proliferate gambling
since STL will now go side-by-side with what is illegal, giving the people two
choices, whether they bet with the legal or illegal swertres.
The
church official said advocating gambling is just like supporting an illegal activity
since it destroys the moral fiber of society. Once gambling goes unabated, many
families will go hungry and crime rate will increase as people seek money to sustain
their daily requirements for gambling, he said.
| | | STL
will surely be blocked if it attempts entry here, Medroso said citing that this
is the common stand of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
However,
Rep. Jala admitted that he has sounded off the town mayors to study the STL operations
since it will benefit the local coffers with the 10% share of its proceeds. He
likewise sought the endorsement of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan considering that
the provincial government takes 5% share of STL operations. |
The solon
said there are already 15 Luzon provinces allowing the operation of STL since
it benefits their respective provinces and municipalities. He said that Isabela
Gov. Grace Padaca who is a staunch fighter on gambling is now supporting STL as
she believes that the way to eradicate jueteng is to allow the legalized betting
through PCSO's lottery.
The
bettors of STL, Jala said can get the chance to win P800 from a P1 bet and even
.25 centavos bet can get the chance to win P200.
Asked
on who will operate the STL if ever it gets a nod here, the solon said it will
be up for the PCSO to screen applicants. However, he clarified that no LGU be
allowed to operate the lottery.
ILLEGAL
SWERTRES PROLIFERATES
The
illegal numbers game of swertres proliferates in the province.
This
is admitted by police authorities here. In fact no apprehensions have been heard
lately on swertres ushers or financiers.
Observers
noted that some local officials are known "beneficiaries" of the proceeds
of swertres, thus no campaign has been sustained to eradicate this illegal numbers
game.
Some
mayors are allegedly receiving shares from swertres operators here.
Meantime,
operators of PCSO lotto in the province admitted that the illegal swertres has
greatly affected their sales.
Observers
said that in areas where the mayors are getting monthly shares from the illegal
swertres, the STL will never gain support from the LGUs.
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