Baguio village leaders told: No more gambling
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—The city government has clamped down on all projects that require barangay officials to mount bingo games, betting stations and other forms of short-term gaming operations to raise funds.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan, who was identified in a Senate inquiry by retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz as one of the officials supposedly coddling jueteng operations, issued the order on Wednesday after addressing newly elected barangay officials in the city. The mayor had appeared before the Senate to deny Cruz’s allegations, saying the accusation made by Cruz was baseless, but being careful not to assail the retired bishop.
Domogan had anticipated a Thursday rally which the city’s religious groups had scheduled to lobby for a tougher, all encompassing and new antigambling policy from the city government. But strong rains discouraged the group’s leaders from proceeding with their protest march.
Church stand
Baguio Bishop Carlito Cenzon and leaders of the Baguio Ecumenical Group and the Baguio Multisectoral Group had urged the city council to block 19 applications from several gaming firms that intend to operate small-town lottery and other betting stations in Baguio. The city government had scheduled several meetings and consultations to determine the public sentiment regarding state-run gambling, on the heels of Cruz’s allegations aired in September.
Mayor’s rules
In 2002, the city council voted to ban the STL. In 2008, the council enforced Resolution No. 281, which rejected proposals to operate the STL and compelled the council against acting on STL applications until the end of its term in office, which was June 30 this year. Domogan said the city government needs a clear mandate from residents about gambling because it may have to wage war against national agencies if it reestablishes this policy.
“STL is run by government and has been legitimized by law,” he said.
Domogan said he has focused his resources on barangay councils, which have allowed gambling operations in their areas. In 2008 and 2009, the city government investigated several barangay councils that mounted bingo games that operated using rules common to illegal numbers rackets like jueteng.
Domogan asked village officials to avoid these revenue-generating measures.
SOURCE:
Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon
THE PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER
Inquirer Headlines / Regions
Gambling was said to be illegal. While doing such things people not aware that this has a big impact in our society. Gambling is a sign of poverty and corruption. In the above situation I wonder if gambling was really stopped by the official and the government of the said place. As we all know, and I am not quite sure about this statement, but according to some news, some of our leaders today have something to do with gambling. Some officials do protect gambling lords because of what we call under-the-table settlements where in they got allowances and even a percent of the said gambling activity. Gambling, in a larger sense, pulls the economy down from getting stable. And if this happens it would largely affect the circulation of our economy. Because the appropriate place of that money which is used in gambling is actually for the people and should not be used for uneven doings which are benefited by only few and some. And supposedly that money should be use for the people’s need and society’s obligations towards its citizens.
Moreover the above news was basically a good to hear about for thy news informs our citizens and society that our government is moving and giving enough attention to the bad doings and activities of our fellow.
GREAT JOB!
ReplyDeleteYou have nice opinions, however, I want you to use more of the first person (i). You can do this by relating the issue to your self. What impact does it have on you?..etc..
Thanks for submitting before the deadline. Carry on!=D
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