LINGAYEN – Wannabe Small Town Lottery (STL) operators in Pangasinan can now kiss their plans goodbye as the provincial board has decided to shelve the endorsement of three interested agents following Governor Victor Agbayani’s pronouncement of a “No to STL” policy.

Vice Governor Oscar Lambino, who is the presiding officer of the provincial board, told The PUNCH that they will no longer pursue the committee hearings regarding the application of at  least three groups seeking their endorsement to operate STL in the province.

“The agreement is not to endorse if the governor doesn’t approve,” Lambino said.

Agbayani told local newsmen earlier that they “have a consistent stand, that we would  like to support the gains of (Lingayen-Dagupan) Archbishop Oscar Cruz so as much as possible, the province would not want another avenue for gambling, another opportunity or another mechanism by which our people will have access to gambling again.”

“So, it’s no to STL,” Agbayani added.

Fourth district Board Member John Agerico Rosario, the majority floor leader, also said, “There is no sense in our proceeding at all on the matter because it takes two to tango, apparently in so far as STL is concerned as explained by experts from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).”

STL is sanctioned by the PCSO. It is seen as the legal substitute for the  Filipinos’ pastime jueteng, an illegal numbers’ game that is known to be a big source of income among corrupt elected and police officials.

Rosario added, “It’s a good thing the governor has made a clear stand,” although quickly adding he still has to talk to him on this matter.

Happy Cruz

Happy about this development, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, chairman of the Krusada ng Bayan Laban sa Sugal (formerly Krusada ng Bayan Laban sa Jueteng), a nationwide anti-jueteng crusade, said in his message to Agbayani, “I pray that God will continue to guide him in his integrity and courage. I pray that God will continue to guide him and that people of goodwill will appreciate more his job performance.”

Cruz also commended the members of the provincial board for following the same high moral ground against gambling. — EVA

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