BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia is not in favor of legalizing jai alai in the city, stating that the legalization should be initiated by the National Government and not by the local government.
Some members of the City Council, however, do not share the mayor's views on the issue. "I don't want to stand as a moral barometer on this matter. We will just wait for the National Government to decide on this," Leonardia said. The mayor said he does not see the need for jai alai's legalization, since there are other legal gambling activities, such as those at Pagcor's casino, lotto, sweepstakes, small town lottery and bingo. Some members of the City Council also expressed opposition to the idea of jai alai's legalization and more so for Bacolod to be a jai alai franchisee. Councilor Homer Bais said when the motion was raised on the floor, it took a while for Councilor Elmer Sy to second the motion for the purpose of discussion. This is a form of gambling that spreads in all walks of life and ages, Bais stressed. Even children are seen holding or analyzing a jai alai tipster, which is the primary reason why he is against jai alai per se, Bais said. On the other hand, Councilor Archie Baribar is open to the idea of Bacolod being a franchisee of jai alai. The discussion over jai alai's legalization stemmed from Councilor El Cid Familiaran's motion before the City Council to legalize jai alai in Bacolod with the local government as its operator. If the illegal jai alai operation cannot be stopped, then it would be better to push for its legal operation, said Familiaran. Familiaran presented data showing that the net income of jai alai in its illegal operation reaches P2 million a day; P60 million a month, or P720 million a year. With the legalization of jai alai, it will be the city which will get the income. With the income from jai alai, the city can address its major concerns on housing, education and health, Familiaran explained. He further said the legalization of jai alai can also help the barangays, because they will have a 10-percent share in the income. Baribar declared that he is against gambling, be it legal or illegal. However, if the city will be left with no choice because it cannot contain illegal gambling operations, then Bacolod might as well consider the idea of legalizing jai alai's operations, he said. Gambling will not be this rampant if it is not being tolerated on the national level, he added. (Carla N. Canet) Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on January 05, 2011.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
|