Jueteng fronts want to shift to Loterya

MANILA, Philippines -  Alleged fronts of jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling in various parts of the country have filed applications to operate the newly launched Loterya ng Bayan of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), sources said yesterday.

Among the Loterya applicants, according to the sources, are gaming firms that were exposed in recent public hearings as alleged fronts of jueteng and other illegal numbers games in the country.

The Loterya is supposed to replace the discredited Small Town Lottery (STL) that was used by erring operators as fronts for collecting bets for illegal numbers games.

Liza Gabuyo, assistant general manager of PCSO’s online operations, earlier had confirmed that at least 16 gaming companies that were given franchises to operate STL, have signified their intention to shift to the Loterya.

She declined to reveal the names of the gaming firms but PCSO chairperson Margie Juico confirmed that among the Loterya applicants are companies named in congressional hearings.

Juico, however, clarified that all applications will be subjected to strict screening and must comply with the new implementing rules and regulations now under review by the Office of the President.

“Any corporation can apply to operate the (Loterya) provided they comply with the requirements,” she said.

Juico likened the problem of illegal gambling to insurgency that must be addressed at the grassroots level.

Juico said there is nothing wrong if known jueteng and illegal gambling lords want to shift to a legal business by applying for Loterya franchises since they are experts in numbers games in their respective areas.