ESPINO VERSUS BINCE

 

LINGAYEN–The controversial operation of jai-alai betting stations in practically all towns in the province is threatening to create a split between close allies in the provincial government.

Governor Amado Espino Jr. lashed out last week at Sixth District Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr., known to be one of his top allies, for what he called an “irresponsible” comment on the operation of jai-alai in the province.

Calling a hasty press conference Thursday morning, Espino defended the issuance of business permits to the Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation owned by Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang and lashed out at Bince’s statement (published in a national daily) that he intends to invite Police Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Rosueto Ricaforte to the board’s regular session to ask him about the mushrooming of jai-alai betting stations in Pangasinan.

A report from the Police Provincial Office indicate that already 42 of the 48 towns and cities of Pangasinan now have one or two betting stations for jai-alai on the strength of the business permits issued by mayors to the Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation owned by Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang.

Espino detested the implication of Bince’s statement that the provincial board has supervision over local government units and officials “are supposed to protect the morality of our people in the province”.

“I would say it (Bince’s statement) is malicious and so pregnant with innuendoes. May pogi points, may media mileage, pa-guwapo at the expense of others”, said Espino in the press conference.

Also present during the press conference were Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan, Ricaforte; Superintendent Paquito Navarete, deputy police provincial director for operations; Superintendent Geraldo Roxas, police community relations officer; and Chief Inspector Froilan Lopez, OIC Provincial Intelligence Branch.

MORALITY ISSUE

“This is too much, coming from a seasoned politician, a seasoned board member,” Espino said, adding that Bince “does not have the monopoly on morality, no monopoly in enhancing the morals of our own people”.

Espino said he found nothing wrong with the mayors who issued the permits for jail-alai betting stations saying they “are very moral and what they did was right” because the company had valid documents to support its application for a permit.

The governor pointed out that the mayors could have been charged for abuse of authority had they denied the application for a business permit.

“…para na siyang nag-iisang nagproprotekta ng moralidad si Mr. Bince. Sobra nang pa-pogi points yan,” Espino said.

Nonetheless, Espino said that the National Bureau of Investigation can stop the jai-alai operations at anytime if the betting stations are proven to be illegal.

BINCE

Meanwhile, Bince, interviewed over a local radio station, said he is standing by his statement.

Bince, chairman on laws and ordinances in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, said “if it is true that the governor called me irresponsible, that is a term that I can not accept”.

He countered that “If it is true that the governor has labelled me an irresponsible legislator, I am sorry to say that, to me, is an irresponsible statement likewise. Huwag naman sana because my record in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan speaks for itself.”

“I did my duty. I have always been a responsible member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. If there is any one board member, with all humility who has been doing his work as a legislator, it is this humble representation,” Bince, the longest serving board member, said.

Bince said he would deliver a privilege speech on Monday to react on the governor’s presscon.

The board member lamented that his resolution opposing jai-alai has yet to be calendared for public hearing by the concerned committee.

Bince filed a resolution opposing the operation of jai alai in Pangasinan two months ago that was endorsed to the provincial board’s Committee on Public Order and Safety, chaired by Liga ng mga Barangay Federation president Amadeo Espino, younger brother of the governor.

At a public hearing, he said, the provincial board would have called representatives of the Games and Amusement Board and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes to explain the claim of Meridien that it has authority to engage in jai-alai operations in Pangasinan.

Bince, a lawyer, pointed out that any violation against existing laws by local executives is subject to disciplinary authority by the Sanggunian, contending that a mere business permit is not enough to authorize Meridien to operate jai-alai, an activity that requires a franchise.

Meanwhile, Ricaforte said the police’s hands are tied in going after Meridien because of a Restraining Order, then a Writ of Preliminary Injunction issued by a court in Cagayan in a civil case filed by Meridien against the Games and Amusement Board.

The Writ, he said, showed that until further order of the court, the defendant (GAB) and all persons acting under its control and supervision are directed to allow the plaintiff (Meridien) to continue with its jai-alai under the authority of the CEZA (Cagayan Export Zone Authority).

He further clarified that the issue whether the authority granted by CEZA enables the company to operate beyond the boundaries of CEZA is now pending before the court

Meanwhile, Ricaforte said the police will not tolerate nor hesitate to arrest anybody who will attempt to operate any illegal gambling activity in the province using jai-alai as a front. The betting stations use two numbers for betting similarly to jueteng.—LM

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