Crusade to wish President an anti-jueteng Christmas

DAGUPAN CITY — President Arroyo might be surprised any day from now when her office receives bundles of Christmas cards that carry a message to help in the campaign to eradicate jueteng, an illegal numbers game.

The card, simply designed and reproduced with an initial 50,000 copies, is the brainchild of the Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng (Jueteng-Free Philippines), headed by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, a staunch anti-jueteng advocate.

The card has three inserts. One is a four-inch by six-inch booklet on catechism on gambling that explains the nature of gambling and jueteng; and the second, a detachable Christmas card that reads Isang Mapagpalayang Pasko at Makabuluhang Bagong Taon Sa Inyo!!.

Below the Christmas message is a drawing of angels with a note that reads: "In our effort to advocate jueteng-free Philippines, we enjoin you to remove the attached and send to Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to greet her a jueteng-free Christmas."

Another detachable insert reads: "Dear President GMA: Wishing you and your family all the best this Christmas. We hope that you will support a JUETENG-FREE PHILIPPINES this coming year!!!" The sender is urged to print his name and sign the card.

Written on the card’s reverse side is the following:

Business Reply Envelope

Postage will be paid by:

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, DD

Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng

P.O. Box No.–––

Cubao, Quezon City

Cruz told The STAR that the Krusada now has more than 10,000 affiliates from all over Luzon since it was launched here about three months ago.

He said more affiliates are expected from the Visayas and Mindanao, where masiao, another form of gambling, thrives.

The affiliates, he said, will send the Christmas cards to people whom they feel could help in the anti-jueteng campaign, including public and police officials.

"We cannot do it alone. We are nobody but if we get the support of the President, then we would be very grateful," Cruz said.

He said their crusade against jueteng is in line with the President’s drive against corruption in the government.

"The President’s support will surely energize us," he added.