What do you think of Erap's plan to legalize jueteng if he regains the presidency?

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: It just shows what kind of government we could expect from him: a government founded on vices.  

Lorenzo A. Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: That’s fine. Jueteng is a way of life for the common tao, without which life would not be complete. The plan would end all corruption and hypocrisy associated with jueteng, the lotto of the masses.  

Jueteng led to his downfall

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: I hope Erap never forgets the fact that it was jueteng that caused his downfall. It seems that the mentality of many leaders like Erap is, “If you can’t stop it, legalize it!” It’s probable that someday soon, our leaders would legalize smuggling, corruption and even massacres, since we can’t stop them!  

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: Jueteng is one of the issues why the administration of Erap was toppled, and here he is again, talking about jueteng. If you were in the right sense of mind, would you vote for him again?  

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, USA: Jueteng is an illegal numbers game. Therefore, I would say no to Erap’s plan. Jueteng was one of the factors that led to his downfall. If he regains the presidency, our country might end up where it shouldn’t be. Our country might even end up lower in the poverty line.  

Myrna Reyes, San Diego, CA: Some people’s children, they never learn. Anak ng tipaklong.  

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Jueteng was one of the reasons for Erap’s downfall from office, starting with his aborted impeachment and culminating in Edsa 2. It’s a manifestation of his misplaced bullheadedness as well as intellectual deficiency, which lead to megalomania. He has always blamed his departure from Malacañang on a conspiracy among the elite. He seems to have forgotten that under his watch, billions of SSS funds were hijacked to purchase the stocks of PCIBank, which turned out to be a losing transaction. So many examples of mismanagement happened during Erap’s time and these were glossed over by his star-struck followers.  

Jueteng will provide more jobs

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: If Erap regains the presidency, I agree that jueteng should be legalized like lotto because it will provide more jobs for people. It is a source of income for the government. It is a better alternative for the jobless rather than taking part in drug trafficking, human trafficking, robbery, kidnapping and other syndicated crimes.  

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Why not? A lot of people are dependent on jueteng for livelihood because job opportunities are scarce.  

If you can’t stop it, regulate it

J.C. Bernardo, Biñan, Laguna: That’s a good solution. If you can’t stop it, regulate it.  

Col. Dennis Acop, Ret., Baguio City: I think that’s a good idea! If Erap is really able to do this, I may even consider voting him. Jueteng is, and has been for generations, a source of evil in this country. Why it has not been legalized is obvious. A lot of people are financially benefiting from it. It is common knowledge that protection payolas are regularly given to various people of authority at various levels in order for them to look the other way. Many people have gotten rich from jueteng. But, jueteng is morally and legally wrong. Jueteng is illegal and yet, it goes on unabated. Erap admitted that the jueteng money he pocketed was not corruption because it was not taxpayers’ money  which brings us to my other point. Illegal jueteng has been robbing the state of much-needed taxes. If jueteng is made legal, only the state would benefit from it. So I think Erap’s plan to legalize jueteng is great, but it won’t happen because Erap is not ever going to be president again.  

Elmo Cruz, Manila: If jueteng cannot be stopped permanently, better regulate it like other games of chance to protect the betting public from cheating and raise revenues for the government.  

Germi Sison, Mandaluyong City: Jueteng, the poor man’s game of chance, where bettors can bet without being bothered so much, unlike other games, has been with us since the Spanish times. To get rid of it seems next to impossible as even the dictatorship failed to stop it. It could be for that reason that Erap must have thought, “If you can’t lick ‘em, join ‘em.”  

This will bring about more chaos

Jae delos Santos, Muntinlupa City: It will be the start of moral bankruptcy in the Philippines once it materializes.  

Ed Gulmatico, Bacolod City: It only shows his true personality and inner frame of mind. This will bring about the total destruction of the last remaining thread of Filipino moral fiber. Again, with Erap as president, the exodus of right-thinking Filipinos from our country will be tremendous, with the poor masa sighing with their usual bahala na mentality and leaving their fate to God.  

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Legalizing jueteng is surrendering to the influence of the dirty moneyed rich. Isipin na lang na maga-alaga ka ng numero kaysa mag-alaga ng manok o baboy bilang kabuhayan. Katamaran at kababaang puri ang hatid ng jueteng. I will not vote for Erap. Huwag pagbigyan, para niyo na’ng awa!  

Ed Alawi, Davao City: If Erap wins and legalizes jueteng, one of his alleged milking cows during his term, then goodbye, Philippines, down the gutter you go.  

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: Legalizing jueteng would only bring more misery to our country. We should teach people to be industrious and be resourceful.  

The government can earn from jueteng

Railey Versoza, Metro Manila: Yes, with the same concept as privatizing Pagcor and having an open public bidding. I just wish we could also include the big-time casinos where Filipinos splurge.  

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Legalize jueteng to minimize cheating and the government will earn revenues from it, as it does from high-society casinos. That’s fair to everyone. It’s a simple solution to a complex problem that no president of the country has ever eradicated.  

Grace Patricia Yap, Makati City: Actually, that’s quite a good idea, no matter who wins. Legitimizing jueteng means that the profits would go to the government. I would prefer that the proceeds go to public health care and education than to the pockets of officials in government. That’s how Malaysia did it. Also, I think that once legitimized, it would hinder small operators from running their back-alley deals. With the budget deficit, a new and sure source of cash flow would be a blessing to a new administration.And while we’re at it, tax beer and tobacco as well. I don’t mind paying a few more for my drinks and I don’t smoke anyway.  

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: I think it’s about time jueteng was legalized so additional funds would be collected and added to government coffers. Jueteng is already embedded in our bloodstream that I believe it would be difficult to put a stop to its operations. So, it’s best that it is legalized for the government to be able to collect taxes instead of a few pocketing the payola.  

That’s next to impossible

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: No president can stop or legalize jueteng. Not Erap, not even Aquino. Many local and national officials benefit from jueteng, which generates billions a year. The reason Chavit Singson squealed on Erap was because his lucrative business was about to be taken over by Erap’s man. Local executives will do everything for jueteng to maintain its status quo even if they have to impeach a president.  

Can’t he think of anything better to do?

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Oh my gosh! Can’t he think of anything better than that?  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: It’s only to be expected of Erap. He wants the poor people to know that if he gets elected, he will legalize jueteng. It’s unfortunate that he is using the poor to get himself elected again.  

Felix Ramento, USA: As a former president running for re-election, doesn’t he have any better advocacy in mind?  

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: For a presidentiable to think of a move like that, he must be heaven-sent. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Why didn’t I think of that before?  

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: So what else is new with Erap? Wala… jueteng pa rin ang nasa isip niya. I bet he wants to be president because of money.  

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: Erap must be daydreaming because jueteng made his day as President, didn’t it?  

Erap has a point

Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: I think Erap has a point. Jueteng has been part of the Filipino culture. No administration in our country has succeeded in eliminating this numbers game, simply because Filipinos patronize it. Compared to lotto, where you have to shell out a minimum amount of P10 or P20, in jueteng, you can bet with P1 or less. If jueteng is legalized, there would be no need for the operator to go underground and it would be easier for authorities to monitor and supervise it. And what’s more, the operator could be assessed the corresponding taxes, which would go to government coffers instead of to the pockets of politicians and police personnel.  

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Those who oppose legalizing jueteng are the Church, na tumatanggap din ng donations from jueteng, and PNP officials, dahil mawawalan sila. The money does not reach the country anymore because they are being stashed abroad in some secret bank accounts. Drug money, too. Kahit hindi ko iboboto si Erap, l agree with him!  

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: I think his proposal has its merits. At present, jueteng operations are in full blast in almost all parts of the country. Payola recipients are spread out among local, provincial and national officials, including most members of media, church, NGOs with PNP (including some AFP, NBI officials) protections from bottom to the top. If legalized, the “inteligencia” will go to the government coffers to finance poverty alleviation projects, and not into the pockets of the above-stated personalities. It’s sad to note, though, that Erap is a thing of the past.  

Loi Castillo, Davao City: What is the difference between jueteng and lotto? They are both gambling but the latter is legal and people are benefitting from it through charity. What about jueteng? Well, the only people benefitting from it are the authorities who condone this illegal game. Erap’s plan might work after all.  

What a rotten idea

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: Marami ang matutuwa kapag naging legal ang jueteng. Maraming Filipino kasi ang utak ay ipinahid lang sa noo, tulad ng idol nilang si Erap.  

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: What a rotten idea coming from a rotten ex-president. If this will be the case, I’d expect another impeachment for him and more Singsons and Atong Angs.  

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: Legalizing jueteng or any kind of gambling is crazy. It’s killing the people softly.  

Jueteng is a vice

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Gagawin niyang legal ang jueteng para siya na ang legal na jueteng lord.  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: If Erap wins again and legalizes jueteng, then shabu and prostitution should be legalized, too. ‘Pag may Erap, may sarap. Sarap buhay ng mga kumpare niya.  

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: Ang sugal ay perhuwisyong totoo.  

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: Jueteng is a vice. Whether it is legal or illegal, we do not need it in our country. What we need is something that can uplift the lives of our people. It will never prosper again. This will be his Waterloo anew if he insists on legalizing it.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Erap’s brain shows that once a gambler, always a gambler.  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Well, it’s clear that he wants every Filipino to be a gambler like him. Heaven watch the Philippines.  

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Erap’s plan to legalize jueteng shows his priorities. I won’t be surprised if his next priority is to legalize prostitution.  

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: This is an indicator of Erap’s love of gambling. It may be practical, on one side, since the revenues will go to the government treasury, but it will definitely build a “get-rich-quick” attitude among the population.  

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Even if it’s called Small Town Lottery for it to be legal, the game is still jueteng. “Intelligentsia” will still be distributed to government and police officials. Odds will remain high, making the game an impossible dream for suckers. It will still pauperize them while the operators’ pockets will keep overflowing with their bets.  

Marlene Howe, Tacoma, WA: People don’t have enough money for basic needs and gambling will only make things worse! I have seen a lot of poor people who spent their days playing tong-its, mahjong, sabong, or other types of gambling. Some of them steal to maintain their vices. If they spend their days being productive instead of gambling then maybe we won’t see too many poor people. Sila na nga ang mga walang kita, sila pa ang mabisyo and now the government will encourage them even more by legalizing jueteng.  A leader should provide programs that teach people how to be self-sufficient and discourage them from their vices. They already have casinos and cockfights, which are legal, and those small-time neighborhood card games. That is already too much for an indigent county like ours.  

People need a sense of dignity

Victoria Cordero Rudio, Laoag City: I’d say eradicate gambling and promote the moral integrity of the Filipino. Do we want to be known as the place to gamble in and go for prostitutes? Give people jobs, so instead of spending their idle time gambling or selling themselves, they can earn a decent living for their families.  

John Francis Aberion, Dasmariñas, Cavite: The sanctity of work will surely be tainted if jueteng is legalized. This would pose a serious moral issue in which jueteng would be an alternative choice or an equal substitute to work because Filipinos would be motivated to earn money the easy way through jueteng. Endowed with his intellect and will, man works to earn a living, and this is part of his dignity.  

Would jueteng lords allow it?

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: Why do we make a big fuss out of trifles such as this one? For one thing, Erap’s regaining the presidency is a big “if”! For another, if ever he regains it, will those who are now benefitting from this illegal gambling operation, which amasses for them billions of pesos, permit it to be passed in Congress to legalize it? I doubt it very much.  

Napoleon Domingo, Ilocos Norte: Those who are betting may vote for him. Those financiers and other backers who get payola won’t, because they will be taxed.  

Will he become president again?

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Wika nga, masarap ang bawal, so let them do it legally so they will stop. But the question is, will he be able to regain the presidency? Malabo yata ‘nun.  

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: It will not prosper. The majority of Filipinos will be against it. Besides, it will never do our country any good. It will create a lot of problems and ruin the lives of many Filipinos. If he ever regains the presidency, what he can probably recommend is that the price of lotto tickets be reduced to a minimum of about a peso, so that most poor people can afford to play. This will legally eliminate jueteng forever. By the way, I don’t think Erap will be able to sit in Malacañang after the election.  

Manny Cordeta, USA: Erap II might as well include in his plans the legalization of prostitution dens, off-track betting on horse-racing and the last-digit ending games in professional and amateur basketball leagues. Sounds creative or innovative, huh? But first things first: He must first hurdle this acid and crucial test of his colorful political career that catapulted him to the nation’s highest post once. Unfortunately, his stint could be likened to a transient Malacañang visitor, a short-lived and forgetful presidency. I wish him the best of luck, though. To quote him: “This would be the greatest performance of my life.” Guys, see you at the polls on May 10.  

Our laws don’t hold water

Jennifer Aquino, Manila: Well, Erap has to win first. Secondly, even if he doesn’t legalize it, jueteng will still be alive and well until Pinoys find something else to do and get rid of their get-rich-quick mentality. It can be legalized, it can be declared prohibited, but it’s up to the people who implement laws to really implement the law.  

Political gimmick

Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: Erap’s plan to legalize jueteng is a political gimmick to get the votes of thousands of those people and their families involved in this game throughout the country.  

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: I think he is courting millions of votes among jueteng bettors. Really a shrewd politician, he promises anything just to get votes.  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

NEXT INBOX QUESTION: What should be the top 3 priorities of the next president?

You may also email your views to: [email protected].

(Editor’s Note: We have just added another channel to reach Inbox World via the growing Facebook community. If you have a Facebook account, add up PhilStar Inbox and give us a glimpse of your views on raging issues of the day. Selected comments will be published in The Philippine STAR Inbox World. Readers may also post intriguing questions for other Inbox friends to comment on. See you there.)