By the Bohol Chronicle
The move to allow the operation of Small Town Lottery (STL) in the province will be strongly blocked by the Church.
This was the categorical statement issued by Bishop Leonardo Medroso of the Diocese of Tagbilaran who articulated on the ill effects of gambling, whether legal or illegal.
He said that when people resort to gambling, it destroys their productiveness and encourages idleness in mind and body since they will simply depend and hope to win in their daily bets.
"False hope," is what gambling will inculcate in the minds of the people, the bishop stressed.
The statement of the church leader came a day after reports surfaced that Rep. Adam Jala (3rd dist), vice chairman of the House committee on government enterprises, is spearheading the campaign for the entry of STL here.
In a separate interview with the Chronicle, the young solon believes that STL is the only way to eradicate the rampant illegal numbers game of swertres in
Bohol.
He said that while proceeds of the illegal swertres goes solely to the financiers and ushers, STL can bring wider benefits to government.
The solon said aside from contributing to the charity fund of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the municipalities where the STL operates will get 10 percent share and another 5 percent goes to the provincial government. The STL will ensure the bettors of their legitimate winnings while a gainful employment will be generated through the various STL centers to be opened here.
Bishop Medroso said the Church does not believe on the premise that operating STL can eradicate the illegal numbers game. Instead, it will further proliferate gambling since STL will now go side-by-side with what is illegal, giving the people two choices, whether they bet with the legal or illegal swertres.
The church official said advocating gambling is just like supporting an illegal activity since it destroys the moral fiber of society. Once gambling goes unabated, many families will go hungry and crime rate will increase as people seek money to sustain their daily requirements for gambling, he said.
STL will surely be blocked if it attempts entry here, Medroso said citing that this is the common stand of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
However, Rep. Jala admitted that he has sounded off the town mayors to study the STL operations since it will benefit the local coffers with the 10% share of its proceeds. He likewise sought the endorsement of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan considering that the provincial government takes 5% share of STL operations.
The solon said there are already 15 Luzon provinces allowing the operation of STL since it benefits their respective provinces and municipalities. He said that Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca who is a staunch fighter on gambling is now supporting STL as she believes that the way to eradicate jueteng is to allow the legalized betting through PCSO's lottery.
The bettors of STL, Jala said can get the chance to win P800 from a P1 bet and even .25 centavos bet can get the chance to win P200.
Asked on who will operate the STL if ever it gets a nod here, the solon said it will be up for the PCSO to screen applicants. However, he clarified that no LGU be allowed to operate the lottery.
ILLEGAL SWERTRES PROLIFERATES
The illegal numbers game of swertres proliferates in the province.
This is admitted by police authorities here. In fact no apprehensions have been heard lately on swertres ushers or financiers.
Observers noted that some local officials are known "beneficiaries" of the proceeds of swertres, thus no campaign has been sustained to eradicate this illegal numbers game.
Some mayors are allegedly receiving shares from swertres operators here.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=15378.0
Topic: Church Against Entry of Small Town Lottery in Bohol (Read 1010 times)