Archbishop Socrates Villegas of the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese led students, lay leaders, civic and religious organizations in slamming the operation of online gambling business called eGames along Perez Boulevard here.
In his letter to Mayor Benjamin Lim dated September 17, 2012, Archbishop Villegas said he was saddened and disappointed to know that the city has allowed the operation of an online gambling business called Egames at Ragtime Building on Perez Boulevard.
In his letter to Mayor Lim, Archbishop Villegas wrote: “As a registered voter of Dagupan City and as representative of the Catholic faithful in Central Pangasinan, I want to make known to the city government our strongest objection to the opening of this online casino in our cityâ€.
He said this will open the door to the degradation of morality, the destruction of family life, the corruption of our children and the promotion of a culture of chanced rather than honest toil in our community, pointing out that “Dagupan City will become the best city by change, not by chance.â€
Issued with business permit by city hall to operate Egames was T2 RAF Electronic Gaming Station with one Rafael Tabora as registered proprietor.
Councilor Luis Samson Jr., chair of the committee on trade and industry in the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), said that T2 was operating since Sept. 14 after it was issued with a business permit by the mayor’s office even if the application for franchise of the company has yet to be approved by the SP.
He asked the SP to investigate on who issued the business permit to the company as Mayor Lim revealed it was not him who signed this.
Earlier, Barangay chairwoman Salvacion Bravo of Herrero-Perez where Ragtime Building is located revoked the business permit inadvertently issued by her secretary to the company, saying her barangay is against gambling in any form.
In last Monday’s session of the SP, Councilor Brian Lim, son of Mayor Lim, informed that per his talk with City Administrator Vladimir Mata, the mayor is revoking the business permit granted to T2 RAF firm. - pna.gov.ph
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