DAGUPAN City Mayor Benjamin Lim did not refute the allegation made by Councilor Luis Samson Jr. on the resurgence of jueteng and other illegal gambling activities in Dagupan just as the mayor took back the reins of the city government.

“Wala akong sama ang loob. He was just telling probably the truth,” Lim said.

The mayor, however, did not commit to address the problem.

Instead, Lim said he is expecting Samson to give more facts “so our enforcers like the policemen, can do more”.

Lim further said he tried to put a stop to jueteng during his previous term but “guerrilla” operations still continued anyway.

“It is really difficult to stop jueteng for as long as the national government will not have a serious solution to resolve it, including the giving of livelihood source for people benefiting from jueteng,” he said.

At the same time, Lim stressed that he does not accept payola from the jueteng operations but he did admit that he knows some politicians benefit from it. He did not elaborate.

While admitting that he was a gambler when he was younger, Lim said he does not support jueteng because winners only receive a small amount while the bigger profit goes to the operators and for payola payments.

Lim said he is keen on supporting the stance of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo that jueteng be placed under the control of the government through the Small Town Lottery.

“Again, I would like to clarify that I have no hurt feelings towards Councilor Samson. It is his duty as an elected councilor to protect his constituent from illegal gambling. I wish he would have done it long time ago”, Lim said.–LM

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