Cebu solons on Masiao: Legalization is not the solution

CEBU, Philippines – At least three lawmakers in Cebu yesterday voiced opposition to the legalization of masiao in the province.  

Cebu City south district Representative Tomas Osmeña, Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon and fifth district Rep. Ramon "Red" Durano found it hard to accept the legalization of masiao.

Osmeña said masiao is bad for the city since it corrupts the local authorities because it promotes gambling. 

The former city mayor also said masiao has not been operating in the city.

"Maybe it's good for the country because masiao corrupts police, barangay and local officials but it is bad for Cebu City because it promotes gambling and we don't have masiao here," Osmeña said in a text message to The FREEMAN last night.  

While admitting that masiao can generate income for local government units once legalized, Durano and Salimbangon said it will only worsen the situation of the people, especially the poor.

They agreed that even if masiao is legalized, it is still a form of gambling that needs to be strictly monitored.

"As it is now, I opposed it since it is still illegal, which is hard to monitor especially the operators and some LGUs," Durano told The FREEMAN.

Salimbangon said even if masiao is legalized, it will still have the same effect to the poor unless there are certain provisions that would protect them.

"Personally dili gyud ni maayo sa constituents but the bill (that would legalize jueteng) is filed to study its effects. But I am into how to stop illegal gambling since ang effect man gud ani kay grabe," he said.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Pedro Noval Jr. is also opposing any move to legalize masiao.  

"I don't buy that idea," Noval said.

Noval, who visited The FREEMAN last night, said he had met with Police Regional Office-7 director Chief Superintendent Ager Untog yesterday to discuss moves to minimize, if not eradicate, the illegal numbers game in Central Visayas.  

He said he also issued a memorandum order urging governors and mayors in the region to activate their peace and order councils to map out strategies against masiao. 

But for Cebu Provincial Board Member Sun Shimura, there's nothing wrong with legalizing masiao.

Shimura, chairman of the PB committee on public safety, peace and order, said he would support the legalization of masiao. But he said he will not file a resolution supporting the legalization of the illegal numbers game.

"I never made a move to create a resolution kay it's not a provincial work but if i-legalized man gani, I am to support it," Shimura told The FREEMAN.

He said that if a resolution supporting the legalization of masiao is filed at PB, it will still be discussed at the committee on ethics, which is chaired by Philippine Councilors' League-Cebu Chapter president Remedios Carmen-Meca.

"It is a numbers game like lotto so why not legalize it? Like lotto and swertres nga daghan og natabangan but dapat nga naa gyud untay duwa nga i-televised dili kay ilad lang," he said.

Police reportedly said they have the list of illegal gambling operators and financiers in the region but refused to name names.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. had filed House Bill 3289 legalizing jueteng in the country. An illegal numbers game, jueteng is commonly played in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.

In Central Visayas, the most common illegal numbers game is masiao. Jueteng does not exist in the region.

Meanwhile, a 52-year-old man in Danao City was arrested by police yesterday for allegedly possessing masiao paraphernalia. 

Nolan Gorre was arrested by virtue of a search warrant issued by Judge Soliver Peras.

Confiscated from him were 249 tally sheets, 15 masiao tip sheets, five ball pens, two stabiles, a stapler and P3,135 cash. - With Jessica Ann R. Pareja and Vina D. Damayo, PIT ABCom Intern/LPM (FREEMAN)