Cruz gets support for exposé

MANILA, Philippines - Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz said yesterday he has been receiving calls and text messages daily from people who have expressed support for his exposé on the alleged involvement of Aquino administration officials in jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling.

Cruz appealed to people supporting him to provide more information if they have knowledge about illegal gambling operations.

He said he has received around 30 to 40 text messages and calls every day from anonymous people who express willingness to help him in his battle against gambling, particularly jueteng.

Cruz said most of these anonymous callers and texters no longer made a follow-up after informing him on what they know about the state of gambling in the country.

Cruz said among those who called him was a foreigner.

“He said in substance that he supports me, that he knows some information about gambling, etc. But when I asked for his name, he did not give it,” Cruz said.

“My conclusion is the man may have some knowledge about gambling in the country, legal or illegal, but he is not certain whether to come out or not,” he added.

Cruz said he also received a text message from a Filipino who also expressed willingness to join him in his crusade.

“He said he is willing to help me and that he is willing to join me in the crusade,” Cruz said.

Cruz, however, said he is not sure if these individuals are willing to face the investigation to be conducted by the House of Representatives today.

“I don’t know whether the person will appear or not,” he said.

Cruz provided the Senate Blue Ribbon committee last week with a list of government officials who were allegedly receiving jueteng payoff, including former Philippine National Police chief Jesus Verzosa and current Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno.