Vizcaya board to recall pro-STL resolution

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Some members of the provincial board here are set to withdraw support to a resolution passed earlier allowing the entry of the government-backed small-town lottery (STL).

The 13-member provincial board is expected to pass a resolution today withdrawing support for STL, which was endorsed two weeks ago via a majority decision.

This developed amid allegations that the board members received at least P30,000 each for the STL endorsement.

Board member Patricio Dumlao Jr. said that the recall-STL resolution is in support of the resolution of the mayors’ league in the province that also withdrew support for STL.

The mayors’ league resolution, signed by seven of the 15 mayors here, came in the wake of reports that there was a pay-off involved in the endorsement.

"Our move to retract our earlier resolution supporting STL is intended to disprove the allegations and show that we will never kowtow to the color of money," said Dumlao.

The recall-STL resolution that will be passed today has the support of at least six board members including Dumlao, Flaviano Balgos, Reina Tidang, Hipolito Mamuric and Maybelle Dumlao.

Last Monday, Maybelle Dumlao, one of those who voted against the pro-STL resolution, commended the mayors’ league for their withdrawal of support to STL in the province.

"I salute the mayors for their resolution withdrawing support to STL operations in Nueva Vizcaya. Their intent is a clear proof of not just their innocence in the alleged pay-off but a manifestation of their dignity, integrity and honesty as well," she said.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)-backed STL had been receiving flak here from the Catholic Church and other anti-gambling advocates, led by Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena, who denounced the numbers game as "just another form of jueteng."

On the other hand, Gov. Luisa Lloren-Cuaresma and Vice Gov. Jose Gambito both expressed preference for STL, saying that the PCSO-operated numbers game would be a source of additional revenue to fund various development projects of the local government units.

Cuaresma said that instead of profits going to just a few individuals protecting jueteng, the STL proceeds, if properly managed, would redound to benefits for the people.