Cruz doubtful of Loterya ng Bayan

MANILA, Philippines –  Despite the assurance given by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) that the Loterya ng Bayan would put an end to illegal numbers games, retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz yesterday expressed doubts that the new game would put an end to jueteng operations in the country.

Cruz expressed belief that the Loterya, just like the small town lottery (STL), would fail in its mission to put jueteng operators out of business.

“It is the same story as the STL before. Now, why is it the same? It is the same jueteng lords and jueteng operators who would take charge of running the Loterya,” said Cruz, who founded the Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng (KBLJ). 

He said the same gambling operators would still favor jueteng over the Loterya because if they operate the latter they would have to pay taxes to the government, unlike in jueteng where operators collect 100 percent of the winnings.

It is for these reasons that Cruz and the members of the KBLJ would fight the PCSO’s Loterya.

“KBLJ would be watching their move carefully,” he said. “KBLJ is now rearranging its structure in order to prepare the Krusada for the gambling game Loterya ng Bayan which nurtures jueteng.”

The group began implementing reforms some two weeks ago and is poised to encourage their members to be competent and courageous in monitoring the jueteng operations in their respective areas.

Cruz said they would re-orient their members on how the Loterya and jueteng preys on the weaknesses of the poor.

They intend to launch their newly reorganized KBLJ soon.

PCSO chair Margarita Juico earlier said that the Loterya is the latest version of the STL, and bet collectors would wear uniforms, carry identification cards and have basic computer knowledge.

They would also enjoy Social Security System (SSS) benefits.

Juico said that they hope to raise P1 billion a month in revenues for the government.