JAI-TENG IS BACK

JAI-ALAI off-fronton betting stations are back since August 8 in at least three towns in Pangasinan: the capital Lingayen, and the eastern municipalities of Rosales and Tayug despite the standing order of the Department of Justice to ban its operation.

“Jai-alai bounced back from the grave in some towns of Pangasinan,” said businessman Rosendo So, who has indicated interest in getting a franchise to become one of the operators of the Loterya ng Bayan (LnB), a legal numbers game that will be under the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), in Pangasinan.

Speaking at the ‘Media in Action’ Forum of the Pangasinan Press Club, So confirmed that Meriden Vista Gaming Corporation (MVGC) has reopened three of its off-fronton betting stations out of the 41 in the province.

Anti-gambling groups believe that the resumption of jai-alai betting opens the doors again for resumption of jueteng in the three towns and adjoining towns.

The provincial police have determined that jueteng operators have used jai-alai stations in the province as a front for their guerilla operations as evidenced by successful raids of jueteng dens in the province.

All the betting stations, earlier issued business permits by 41 towns and cities, were closed a month ago following a Luzon-wide crackdown jointly ordered by the Department of Justice and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The order was issued after the court decided that the MVGC did not have the authority to operate the jai-alai betting stations outside the Cagayan Special Economic Zone.

So suspects that the Meridien is again testing the waters.

He said he is not aware of a new legal order allowing the jai-alai betting stations to resume operations.

LnB OPERATIONS

 MVGC is reportedly owned by Charlie Atong Ang, a businessman allied with former President Joseph Estrada

Another company of Ang, King B, is reportedly among the many firms that have applied for a franchise from PCSO to operate LnB in 22 provinces.

So expressed confidence that LnB will be allowed to operate in the province.

Congress is currently still deliberating on the proposed law that will govern LnB’s nationwide operation.

So said once finalized, it is likely that there will be six franchises to be issued in Pangasinan, one each for every congressional district.

Among the proposed guidelines for LnB, he added, is that each franchisee must put up an authorized capital of P50 million.

Previously, the authorized capital was set at P100 to P150 million if there is only one franchisee for the whole province, he added.

So also noted that since LnB is for national implementation, it will not need the approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for it to operate in Pangasinan.

Under LnB, the old cabos and collectors of jueteng will become ‘legal’ employees as sales representatives.

Aside from their basic salary, they will be entitled to health insurance and SSS coverage, among other benefits.

So expressed confidence that LnB will finally put a stop to jueteng and underscored that it will be beneficial for the localities as 12.5 percent of the proceeds will go to the local government unit and the Philippine National Police for their respective projects.

He also noted that it will have transparent operations as the drawing of winning numbers per district will be telecast live on cable television stations and the winning numbers announced over the radio.

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