JUETENG is now making a comeback in Luzon a couple of months with a vengeance but not without a major twist in its operational structure and the determination of its finances.

According to Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, chairman of Krusada ng Bayan Laban sa Jueteng, there now exists a powerful triad (composed of members of a political family and a ranking police official) that wants to control it, dictating how much jueteng lords should fork over to it as “patong”, how much should be paid to whom.

The new arrangement has reportedly befuddled the gambling lords who used to have full control of the operations and who determine how much they want to fork over to politicians and police officers.

“Diyan nag-aaway (That’s what they are fighting over),” Cruz told local newsmen.

They have become like Pacman,” he added. “They (triad) are more brazen and bolder now because they need money for the (May 2007) elections,” he said.

Cruz said he learned about this new development from operators themselves who have relayed to him their predicament.

The original asking price of the triad, according to Cruz’ sources, was 7% of the gross income of the operators and this is being strongly resisted by the jueteng lords. Consequently, negotiations are still going on for the “friendlier” rate.

Small Town Lottery

The demand for “patong” is presently on jueteng alone because the financial viability of Small Town Lottery (STL), a legal game that is supposed to replace jueteng, remains uncertain.

“With the mandatory deductions from STL operations, the operator will not survive,” Cruz said.

Under the STL, the operator pays 10% of his gross collection to the STL managing corporation and to the Bureau of Internal Revenue, each getting 5%. From the 90% gross balance, the operator then makes another 45% payment to the following: Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), 7.5%; provincial government, 5%; city or municipal government, 10%, Philippine National Police, 5% ; district office 2.5%; collector 10%; cabo, 2%; and ticket printing 3%.

“So STL must employ deceit coupled with “bookies” in order to be profitable,” Cruz said. The revenues earned by bookies (for jueteng) reportedly go fully to the STL operator.

“STL without jueteng will not be viable”, Cruz pointed out and which he said explains why the police are now having a hard time going after jueteng collectors since they are principally STL collectors armed with valid identification cards. “They are the same people who collect for “bookies” and jueteng,” he said.

“Expect a deluge of applications for STL operations in the province, and in towns and cities,” the archbishop warned.-EVA

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