Guv defends cops, mayors on jai-alai operations
LINGAYEN–Governor Amado Espino Jr. has come to the defense of the provincial police led by Police Sr. Supt. Rosueto Ricaforte and the mayors for the sudden proliferation of jai-alai betting stations in the province.
In a hastily called press conference, Espino lashed out at Sixth District Board Member Alfonso Bince who the governor said put the province in a bad light after his “irresponsible” statements to the media about the mushrooming of jai-alai betting stations in practically all the towns in the province.
The governor defended the mayors who issued a business permit for the operations saying their move was within legal bounds.
“Our mayors are not immoral. We don’t have to question their morality just because they have issued business permits to operators on jai alai operations in their municipality,” he said.
The governor reiterated he is against jai alai and all illegal numbers game citing his efforts at keeping Pangasinan free from the illegal numbers game jueteng.
“Pinakamalinis tayong probinsya sa jueteng sa buong Region I,” he said.
Bince, who has a pending proposal to block jai-alai betting operations in the province, has claimed that “some influential people wanted him to go slow on his resolution opposing the operations of jai alai in Pangasinan.”
Espino countered, “Who are these influential people who are involved here? This is very unfair coming from a seasoned politician. This is a very irresponsible statement.”
The governor noted that it was Charlie “Atong” Ang, owner of the company that is operating the betting stations, who introduced the game in the province when he attended the birthday party of a congresswoman.
“Binigyan siya (referring to Ang) ng permit para mag-operate sa third district. Hindi namin pinayagan yan. Kahit kailan hindi namin pinayagan yan,” said the Governor. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)
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