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Delay in STL favorable to gambling financiers ‘ color=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ custom_font=” size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ custom_class=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO – It’s the illegal gambling operators that benefit from the absence of Small Town Lottery (STL) in the province, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr.
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) designed STL as an alternative to people patronizing illegal numbers games.
Defensor, however, lamented that PCSO has yet to grant a franchise to any of several entities that applied to operate STL in the province.
“Mentras tanto nga wala (STL), ining mga ilegalista sige-sige na sila,” said the governor.
The legalization of STL will curb illegal gambling in Iloilo, he stressed.
A source told Panay News six new illegal gambling operators started operating full-blast across the province three weeks ago, some three months after meeting at a hotel in Mandurriao, Iloilo City in July. They reportedly enjoy the backing of a high-ranking police official at the Police Regional Office 6.
Early last year, the provincial government, with the support of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), reiterated its 2010 position welcoming STL operation and urged PCSO to accept applications from interested operators.
Defensor endorsed the application of the Iloilo Small Town Lottery Gaming Corp., operator of STL in Iloilo City.
The three other applicants were Around D’ World Gaming Corp., Fairpoint Marketing Corp. and Iloilo PMV Gaming Corp.
“Kun may STL franchise-holder sa probinsya, the bulk of shares goes to the national government, may parti ang probinsya, ang munisipyo kag ang pulis. Sa subong sini waay gid ya, zero. Tanan nga ginakita sa illegal gambling sa bulsa lang sa mga ilegalista gakadto,” he stressed.
The national government should not blame local governments for the continued proliferation of illegal gambling in Iloilo, according to Defensor.
SP public consultations on STL conducted in 2010 had the following findings:
* STL will not cultivate a culture of immoral gambling among the Ilonggos.
* The societal value of STL as a tool to eradicate illegal numbers games may be enhanced by allowing its operations; and
* From the standpoint of government as the primary agency charged with addressing the needs of its people, it can be prudently argued that funds generated from STL appear to promise available resources for a more responsive and effective delivery of basis services to its constituents.
Under the STL charity fund-sharing scheme, revenues are divided as follows:
* city or municipality – 10 percent
* provincial government – 5 percent
* congressional district – 2.5 percent; and
* police – 5 percent.
Late last year, then PCSO chairman Erineo Maliksi urged the agency’s Board of Directors to suspend the operation of 17 STL franchise holders and the issuance of more franchises until after the management addressed the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
NBI claimed STL operators defrauded PCSO of at least P50 billion yearly through the non-declaration of actual sales.
Applications for STL operation in this province were filed with PCSO as early as 2010./PN
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