Bishop denies giving in to jueteng operators

CABBAROGUIS, Quirino – Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena denied rumors that he allegedly gave in to jueteng operators, saying the allegations were meant to destroy his good name.

Villena said he has been against all forms of gambling and that his position has not changed a bit.

“I will be coming out with a statement on my stand against all forms of illegal gambling and other evil activities one of these days,” Villena told reporters in a cell phone interview before he left for a short trip abroad last Tuesday.

One of the top contenders to replace soon-to-retire Tu­gue­garao Archbishop Dios­dado Talamayan, Villena denied rumors that he has given in to jueteng operators in his diocese, allegedly in exchange for some assistance for his regular medical consultation for a supposed life-threatening ailment.

According to other rumors, Villena has plans for another special diocesan project which would require huge funding, thus the supposed offer from jueteng operators in exchange for his silence on the return of the illegal numbers game.

“That is a big, big lie,” he said, adding that if he seems to have become silent on jueteng, it is only because he has been busy with other concerns since he also chairs the Regional Development Council to which President Arroyo appointed him last year.

Villena made the statements in the wake of reports of on-and-off jueteng operations in the diocese.

The feisty bishop said he has consulted Senior Superintendent Segundo Duran, provincial police director, about the matter.