EDITORIAL

No Bet, No Jueteng

“JUETENG” still flourishes due to the blessings of the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Philippines National Police” said Sen. Miriam Defensor – Santiago in a privilege speech on September 22.

Santiago added, “The equation DILG plus PNP equals jueteng means that illegal jueteng consists of conspiracy between the interior secretary and the police chief”. The two key government officials are the “prime beneficiaries and ultimate protector” of jueteng, she pointed out.

In her privilege speech, Sen. Santiago linked an incumbent governor allied with Ms. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as among those who are involved in this illegal gambling.

About P118.1 million a day is collected from 42 cities and provinces from seven regions in Luzon and Metro Manila. There is no mention of Visayas and Mindanao which areas are also engaging in Jueteng.

The top five in Jueteng in Santiago’s list are Atong Ang, Tony Santos, Danny Soriano, Aging Lisan and Bong Pineda who is the husband of Gov. Lilia Pineda of Pampanga.

Moreover, Sen. Santiago also pointed to Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson as the main Jueteng operation in Ilocos Norte, IIocos Sur, and La Union, Bonito Singson in Abra, and Boy Bata in Pangasinan.

As to the daily income, Santiago revealed Pangasinan – P9 million Ilocos Sur – P2 million, Ilocos Norte – 2 million, Abra – P900,000, and La Union – P800,00. In Region 2, according to Sen. Santiago, Atong Ang’s area, Isabela P3.5 million and Nueva Vizcaya gets P1.5 million. In Cagayan, Danny Soriano has a daily take of P1.4 million, and P300,000 in Querino.

Sen. Santiago revealed she received report that the Jueteng operations in Nueva Ecija get a revenue of P7.5 million P9 million – each in Bulacan and Pampanga, P3 million – Bataan and P1.5 million – Angeles City. In Tarlac, the daily revenue is P3 million, but no mention who is responsible in Jueteng operation.

Sen. Santiago recommended for the graceful exit of DILG Sec. Rico Puno from the Cabinet of P-noy. Usec Puno has announced, he will submit his resignation paper to P-noy.

That Sen. Santiago privilege speech came as a bombshell in the Senate floor on Sept. 22. But who are the casualties?

Under Sec. Rico Puno has opted to resign not only on illegal gambling but also because of the “major, major” hostage drama in the Luneta on Aug. 23, 2010.

Gov. Chavit Singson of Ilocos Sur vehemently denied he is involved in the jueteng payola. He challenged Sen. Santiago to furnish proof, witnesses. But who will testify against Singson? Well headed Filipinos can just read historical facts about jueteng who is one of the causes of the downfall of President Erap in 2001?

Atong Ang, number game also denied his involvement in illegal gambling. Atong Ang admitted he is only a consultant on jueteng. He is therefore an excellent specialist on number games protocol. And he was consulted by Bishop Oscar Cruz. Did Atong Ang give it all to Bishop Cruz?

If Ang is consultant, who are his clients? He should reveal to the public who are consulting him. Anyone who consults Ang is probably the “top guns” in the jueteng industry. Why consult Ang if they are not in the deals?

Jueteng in the Philippines has been discussed for a long, long time with the view to ultimately stop for it is a public menace. But it is still here persisting.

The only way to stop jueteng is to stop placing bets. Jueteng is a business and any business enterprises will not prosper and finally stop when there is no clients, no patronage.

STOP JUETENG, illegal gambling by not placing any bet. /MP