QC Council recalls STL measure

The Quezon City Council has withdrawn a measure allowing the operation of the small town lottery (STL) in the city.

In a two page resolution, the council unanimously recalled its earlier resolution granting a special use permit to allow Benchmark Acquisition International Corp. to conduct a test run of the STL project in the Quezon City.

The measure had allowed the experimental operation of the legalized version of the numbers game in Quezon City for a period of six months as authorized by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Earlier, the Department of the Interior and Local Government issued an order to temporarily stop the operations of STL until such rules and regulations for the game are made.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said that he has not changed his position against the conduct of STL test runs in the city after consultations made with residents.

"I am simply not in favor of STL being test run in the city," he said. This stand reflects the overwhelming sentiment in our city."

Belmonte said that he has encouraged Benchmark to conduct a test run of the STL in other cities where local government officials would welcome the project. – James Mananghaya