Social Action Center director Fr. Ernie Larida of the Diocese of Bacolod yesterday said they will bring their campaign against local leaders, who promote illegal gambling, to the pulpit if they will allow its operation in Bacolod City. He reminded the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlugsod of the stand of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and the Diocese of Bacolod against all forms of illegal gambling, after it granted a Resolution of No Objection allowing Super Lucky Beagler Inc. to operate Small Town Lottery in the city during its session Wednesday. Larida said they will bring the matter up in the pulpits and in the political arena to remind the people that they are against politicians who want to promote gambling. They also want to remind and educate the people about the ills of gambling, he said. The Church is against all forms of gambling, whether legal or illegal, Larida said. These politicians are promoting STL and other games of chance because elections are fast approaching, he said. If the City Council pushes through with its plans, despite opposition from the church they will launch a campaign against them by hanging tarpaulins in front of the church bearing their names, he added. “We should not vote for officials who promote illegal gambling. Instead of creating more jobs for the people, they are creating a culture of gambling,” Larida said. This will only make people poorer because they will bet their last money instead of using it to buy their basic needs, he said. In his letter to the SP dated August 18, Larida said the Catholic Church teaches that “games of chance” or wagers are not in themselves contrary to justice. They become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming enslavement, he said. “There are better options of helping your constituents and our city other than legalizing organized gambling in Bacolod City, Larida said. Those who voted in favor of the resolution granting a RONO to STL were Councilors Alex Paglumotan, Wilson Gamboa Jr., Noli Villarosa, Em Ang, Caesar Distrito and Roberto Rojas, while those who voted against it were Councilors El Cid Familiaran and Sonya Verdeflor.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO
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