SP slams LnB, doubts will end jueteng

By July 24, 2011Headlines, News

LINGAYEN–The ‘Loterya’ ng Bayan (LnB) of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) faces rough sailing in Pangasinan as members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) have expressed reservations over introducing this new lottery game in the province.

This developed as the illegal numbers game jueteng was proven to have been in active operation in various towns and cities using the jai-alai betting stations as front in various raids in the province.

Subsequently, the jai-alai off fronton betting stations were closed following a court order and nationwide crackdown launched by the Department of Justice and Department of Interior and Local Government.

Sixth District Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr. proposed a resolution last week inviting PCSO Chairman Margarita Juico to appear before the Question Hour of the SP on August 2 to elaborate on the mechanics of the LnB and to answer other questions by members of the council.

In an interview, Bince said he doubts whether LnB can actually stop jueteng as the PCSO intends it to do.

Bince further said that the LnB could merely strengthen jueteng.

At the same time, he confirmed that jueteng had already resurfaced in San Carlos City, Calasiao, in the first and second districts, except for just a few towns.

FOR THE RICH

The veteran board member also tagged LnB as “Loterya ng mga Mayayaman“, pointing out that a P100 million capitalization is needed to get a franchise to operate it.

“We believe that giving the franchise to wealthy and rich applicants will not serve the purpose. It will make the rich richer, rather than the poor rich,” he said.

He said he is also disturbed by reports that LnB encourages the employment of the jueteng cobradores, a situation he said would further help sustain jueteng operations in the province.

Bince said that the SP would also like to know from PCSO the names of the seven gaming corporations that applied for a franchise to operate LNB in Pangasinan because he has information that some of the applicants have allegedly been involved in jueteng operations.

Chinese businessmen and politicians are reportedly interested to operate LnB in the province.

“You know, my fear is one will invest P100 million to operate a franchise. Who can afford but only those who are rich. Why? What is their return on investment on this?” said Bince.

OVERSIGHT POWER

At the same time, Bince disagreed with Senator Francis Escudero’s statement when he was in Pangasinan last week that LnB operations are under the jurisdiction of the national government through the PCSO and, therefore, the provincial government has no say in approving the entry of LnB in the province.

“No sir, the province has oversight powers over all activities in the province… the governor and the SP must know what is happening and what activities are good for the province, whether these activities are illegal and injurious to our constituents,” he said.

Rejecting Escudero’s position, Bince stressed that the province has plenary powers under the Local Government Code to “see to it that the general protection and welfare of our constituents are extended.”

This issue, he said, also applied to the jai-alai betting stations contrary to Governor Amado Espino Jr.’s earlier position who maintained that these were entirely under the towns’ jurisdiction.

“The provincial government must be involved in any activity within the province,” Bince asserted.

Bince said after hearing PCSO Chairman Juico and ascertaining from her that LnB will be operated soon in Pangasinan, the SP will express its reservation over the activity and will look into ownerships of the gaming corporations that had applied for franchise to operate LnB in the province.

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