STL operators get final notice

MANILA, Philippines - Operators of small-town lotteries (STL) have been given 60 days to shift to the Loterya ng Bayan (PLB) to be able to stay legal.

The final notice was signed yesterday by Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board chairman Margarita Juico and directors Mabel Mamba, Aleta Tolentino, Francisco Joaquin III  and Betty Nantes.

PCSO general manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas said the PLB’s final guidelines will take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

PCSO records show gaming firms from Northern and Central Luzon topped the list of applicants for the newly launched legal numbers game.

At least 28 PLB applications were filed in Pangasinan, Bulacan, Zambales, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Abra,  Quirino and Cagayan province.

Out of the total number, at least seven applications were filed in Pangasinan alone.   

Only 14 applications were filed in Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon province, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Sorsogon.

In Metro Manila, gaming firms also filed applications in Makati, Marikina, Pasay City, Quezon City and Taguig.

In Visayas and Mindanao, Negros Occidentail topped the list with applicants from the six congressional districts, including San Carlos City, Silay City and Sipalay City.

An application for Calape in Bohol, Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City, Southern Leyte, Iloilo City and Zamboanga City were also filed for the PLB.

Juico urged jueteng operators to come out and apply for the PLB to legalize their operations and help the government generate the much needed charity funds for the poor and needy.

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

However, Juico said known jueteng lords who want to apply for authority to operate town lotteries must comply with all the requirements provided for in the PLB implementing rules and regulations.