FOR JUETENG, SHOTGUNS

LINGAYEN–Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz laments the failure of Governor Amado Espino Jr. to keep his pre-election pledge to fight the illegal numbers game jueteng in the province

Cruz rated Espino’s performance in governance as a “7” from a possible 10 as highest, and set 7.5 as passing rate.

“I’m sorry I cannot give him a passing mark,” said Cruz, adding that Espino also failed in his decision to distribute shotguns to barangay chairmen around the province.

Cruz, chairman of the Krusada ng Bayan Laban sa Jueteng, said prior to his election in 2007, Espino, accompanied by Engr. Rosendo So, chairman of Abono partylist, visited him a couple of times and made the pledge.

For his part, So, a staunch supporter of Espino during the campaign, said he remains to have a good relationship with the governor but has “disagreements” with the latter particularly on the jueteng issue.

“Basta ako, sa issue ng jueteng, supportive ako sa krusada ni archbishop,” said So during the Pangasinan Tri-Media Association’s weekly Meet The Press forum where he and Cruz spoke.

So affirmed that jueteng was stopped only in Malasiqui because of Rep. Rachel Arenas’ efforts and in Burgos town owing to Mayor Domingo Doctor’s efforts alone.

He also thinks that Gov. Espino rejected the small town lottery in the province that could have given jueteng operators a run for their money.

The PUNCH tried to get Espino’s reactions through his provincial information officer, Butch Velasco, but the only reply sent was a text message – “He’s (referring to Cruz) a (Rep. Jose) de Venecia (Jr.) Pharisee, no wonder”. #

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