San Juan bans gambling

MANILA, Philippines - San Juan Mayor Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito declared yesterday that he will not allow gambling joints to operate in the city despite pressures from gambling operators.

“San Juan City residents are very conservative about this thing (gambling) and once the community is against it, I am very sensitive about it,” said Ejercito.

The young mayor is referring to the stance of the local community with regards to the proliferation of poker clubs in Metro Manila.

Ejercito said that since 2001, poker operators have been pressuring him to allow them to put up poker clubs in San Juan, but “I haven’t allowed (this) because of strong opposition by the residents.”

Some residents, however, said there is a discreet resurgence of jueteng (an illegal numbers game) in the city that reportedly has the blessings of an official close to Ejercito. – Non Alquitran