Do You Favor To Conduct STL Test Run?

Text & Photo by Ambrosio R. Villorente

Most Rev. Jose Romeo O. Lazo, D.D. giving his comment on the proposal to conduct STL Test Run

Banga Mayor Antonio T. Mameng (right) advocating to conduct STL Test Run so that the mayors can raise money to be given to the mendicants.

Hon. Morania speaking against the proposal to conduct STL Test Run

A portion of the cause oriented group which conducted protest rally against the conduct of the STL Test Run in Aklan just by the side of the Capitol building while the public hearing was going on inside the SP session hall.

Picture above is Mr. Candido Padios, 88, single from Pob., Batan, Aklan. He said, he went to Kalibo to participate on the Public Hearing on STL. He strongly opposes gambling, he said.

A public hearing on the proposal of Hon. Rodson Mayor and Hon. Nemesio Neron was heard in the morning last Monday, October 8, 2007. It was held at the Session Hall, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), Kalibo, Aklan. The proposal is to approve a resolution requesting the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to conduct a test run on the Small Town Lottery (STL) in the Province of Aklan.
All the members of the SP Aklan constituted themselves into a single committee to discuss the said resolution either to recommend or not recommend its approval. Several resource persons were invited to give their views regarding the proposal to conduct test run in Aklan. They represented the religious group, civic clubs, business group, non government organizations, and the academe. The PCSO was also invited to attend and brief the participants in the public hearing regarding the STL operations. The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) representative was also invited.
However, the PCSO begged off that it cannot send any representative during the pubic hearing because the official concerned was abroad. The LMP was not able to have its designated representative. In view of it, Mnsgr. Adolfo Depra called the meeting defective. Hence, another public hearing is scheduled on October 26, 2007.
Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo presided the public hearing. Hon. Rodson Mayor and Hon. Nemesio Neron were given 5 minutes each to explain their resolution. Hon. Plaridel M. Morania and Hon. Wilbert Ariel I. Igoy who oppose the resolution were given 5 minutes each to explain why they oppose. On the part of the Diocese of Kalibo, Most Rev. Jose Romeo O. Lazo spoke for 5 minutes to explain his view on the matter. PSSUPT Benigno B. Durana, Jr. was also given 5 minutes to give the side of the police. Mr. Virgilio Bautista spoke in behalf of the civic clubs. Atty. Allen S. Quimpo enlightened the public hearing of his experience about the test run on the STL in Kalibo in 1989 while he was the mayor of Kalibo. Ms. Didi Quimpo representing women and NGO gave the views of her organization.
After the meeting which lasted for 3 hours, no decision was made. Another meeting on the matter is scheduled on October 26. Before the meeting adjourned, Hon. Morania requested those people inside the session hall who are in favor of the proposal to hold STL test run to raise their right hands. People remained silent for about 30 seconds. Nobody raised his right hand. /MP