BACOLOD City Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. said he firmly believes that the Small Town Lottery (STL) of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) can help stop the proliferation of illegal numbers game in the city. Gamboa, who was among the six councilors who voted for the approval of the resolution of no objection for the operation of STL in Bacolod, added that allowing the PCSO’s numbers game to operate will create a demand for “an alternative choice” against the existence of illegal gambling. Aside from Gamboa, those who voted in favor of the resolution granting Super Lucky Beagler Inc. (SLBI) the authority to operate, are Councilors Alex Paglumotan, Noli Villarosa, Roberto Rojas, Em Ang, Caesar Distrito. Councilors El Cid Familiaran and Sonya Verdeflor opposed. “The government’s statement of an ‘all-out-war’ (against illegal gambling) through the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) ‘one strike policy’ is just taken lightly by these illegal operators. So we might as well allow the STL to counter the poor man’s gambling bet and regulate it,” the councilor said. Gamboa pointed out that although there is still no STL operation in Bacolod, agents from STL outlets in Talisay, Silay and other cities and municipalities in the province are still scattered in Bacolod to receive bets. “These daily extension activities of STL in Bacolod deprive us of our rightful share of the proceeds out of STL operation. This social services share is supposedly given to the City of Bacolod,” he added. The PCSO remits seven percent of the STL’s monthly proceeds to the host-city for charity and basic services while one percent goes to the PNP. Gamboa added that this is a pragmatic approach considering the Filipinos’ propensity to gamble as it is viewed as a form of recreation, harmless past time, or entertainment. “Most bettors even pray for intervention, seek signs from the heavens, and when they win, they thank God thus the Filipinos’ moral attitude against gambling is hardly influenced by their gambling attitude,” he noted. Gamboa added, “Can we really put the issue of morality in the picture? This is why we need to weigh in also the economic benefits to the individual, the city, and the country in general.” He also clarified his earlier statement of “if you can’t beat them, join them,” saying it should include “and regulate them.” Something that cannot be stopped can be regulated and contained, Gamboa said. On the other hand, Rev. Fr. Felix Pasquin, rector of the San Sebastián Cathedral in Bacolod, said the Catholic church is against the STL all over the province whether it is legal or illegal. STL is gambling and gambling is wrong, the priest said. “We don't encourage gambling and this is not only for Bacolod City. It's for all over the province," Pasquin said. “The approval does not make it morally right. It is still gambling." The resolution of no objection was passed by the City Council during their special session last Tuesday after SLBI president Jexter Mercado requested the council to allow them to open STL branches in Bacolod as stated in his Aug. 11 letter addressed to Paglumotan. SLBI, which has an office at Montinola Bldg., Bonifacio St., Silay City, operates in certain areas in Negros Occidental as the sole authorized agent-corporation of the PCSO for STL in the province.(with reports from TDE) Carla N. Cañet
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