Padaca, Church unite vs STL

ILAGAN, Isabela — Gov. Grace Padaca has found an ally in the local Catholic Church in her efforts to prevent the entry of the government-sanctioned small town lottery (STL) in the province.

The Diocese of Ilagan led by Bishop Sergio Utleg came out with a declaration over the weekend against STL, vowing that it would utilize the pulpit to air its opposition should local officials insist on issuing permits for its entry.

Utleg said he and the parish priests of the province’s two cities and 35 towns, together with church workers and the faithful, would unite to stop the entry of STL, which the government sees as an effective tool in curbing jueteng. 

Like the illegal numbers game, Utleg said STL is also "highly immoral."

Earlier, Padaca expressed her reservations on STL, but admitted being helpless in opposing the project of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) since the provincial board and majority of the mayors favor its endorsement.

Last March 28, the provincial board led by Vice Gov. Ramon Reyes, Padaca’s political ally, passed a resolution addressed to the PCSO endorsing STL.

Reyes said STL, besides generating additional revenues for the local governments, would also curb the culture of corruption spawned by jueteng. 

In its resolution, the provincial board urged the PCSO to consider Isabela as one of the pilot or experimental areas for STL.