The clergy under the Diocese of Talibon made categorical its stand objecting the entry of the legalized Jai-alai betting stations earlier reported to open in various towns of the province.
During their regular meeting at the Pastoral Center in Talibon last Thursday, the clergy raised their worries on the ill effects this gambling activity will bring to the community, while stating that it is not true that because of this legalized gambling, more jobs will be created out of the revenues that the local government units will receive from the Jai-alai operators.
NOEL
Bishop Christian Vincent Noel presided the meeting last Thursday evening where the clergy present signed in their position paper their objection on the entry of Jai-alai.
Earlier, Bishop Leonardo Medroso of the Diocese of Tagbilaran issued a categorical statement that the Church is against, both the legal and illegal gambling operations.
The statement of the Tagbilaran bishop came amid reports that the illegal game of swertres has been highly patronized even before the entry of Jai-ali.
In their statement (appearing elsewhere in this issue), the Diocese of Talibon priests issued the caution that once this new gambling activity will penetrate the community, it will result to the laziness of the people who will now rely on their luck out of their daily bets.
The priests said that "money spent to bet on gambling could have been used for education, food and medicines." The statement did not take exception to call on the rich people to stop their daily spending in gambling as this is a "gross waste" of money while millions of Filipinos can hardly eat three square meals a day.
The church leaders said that gambling is "fooling people to believe that they will become rich when they will bet everyday."
The priests categorically stated that instead of the poor getting rich, it is only the selfish financiers and some politicians who become rich of this gambling activity.
The clergy urged the local government units not to allow the entry of Jai-alai in their respective towns.
JAI-ALAI ON
There are reports that some ushers of the illegal game of swertres have shifted operation to selling numbers of Jai-alai since it gave them the relief of not being apprehended for peddling a legalized gambling activity, unlike with swertres before.
The first off fronton station in the province opened couple of weeks ago in the town of Alburquerque where Mayor Efren Tungol issued a business permit to legalize its operation.
The ID bearing "marketers" of Jai-alai, all based in Albur are now spreading to other towns as they claim that, legally, they are not barred from selling jai-alai numbers to any town in Bohol, aside from Albur.
In the city, Mayor Dan Lim repeatedly said he will never allow Jai-alai to operate in this capital city.
Prior the intensified drive against swertres launched by PNP Prov'l Director Constantino Barot, Jr., this illegal numbers game was selling like hotcakes in the city with the financiers enjoying brisk gross sales daily.
For his part, Gov. Edgar Chatto maintained his stand against any form of gambling, legal or illegal.
It maybe recalled that the governor, supported by the League of Municipalities (LMP-Bohol) launched a relentless campaign against swertres which was given teeth with the marching orders from PNP Prov'l Director Constantino Barot, Jr. to his station commanders to combat swertres in their respective towns.
The campaign proved effective for a couple of weeks only to find out later that financiers gradually resumed in "guerilla-type" of operations.
When Jai-alai gained entry in the province, the governor issued a statement that he is against all forms of gambling, thus, including Jai-alai. - Bohol Chronicle
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=35124.0
Topic: Bohol Catholic Church Fights Jai-Alai (Read 1955 times)