Jueteng operators urged to apply for Loteryang Bayan

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines Charity Sweepstakes Office urged jueteng operators yesterday to apply for the authority to operate the PCSO Loteryang Bayan (PLB) to legalize their operations and help the government generate funds for charity.

PCSO chairman Margarita Juico said the agency extended for two months the filing of application for the permit to operate PLB to accommodate more lottery operators.

“If the government grants amnesty to communist and secessionist rebels there is no reason why jueteng lords would not be given the same privilege,” she said.

She said that known jueteng lords who want to apply for authority to operate the new town lotteries must comply with all the requirements provided for in the implementing rules and regulations that are being finalized.

As of yesterday some 84 gaming firms have already filed their applications to operate the PLB in their respective localities.

Among those that applied were gaming firms who were exposed as fronts for illegal numbers games in various parts of the country.

Juico said the PCSO has extended the deadline for gaming firms who were holders of franchises of the defunct Small Town Lottery to shift their operations to PLB.