DOJ, DILG to crack down on jai-alai operations outside Cagayan

MANILA, Philippines - The government is set to crack down on jai-alai betting operations being run by Charlie “Atong” Ang’s Meridien Vista Gaming Corp. (MVGC) outside the Cagayan freeport.

This, after the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued the other day a joint memorandum circular instructing law enforcers, local government units and public prosecutors to “immediately eliminate illegal jai-alai off-fronton betting operations all over the country.”

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said jai-alai operations outside the jurisdiction of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) is prohibited by Republic Act 954, a 1953 law which she claimed has not been repealed by any later law.

She said this means that the license of MVGC from CEZA, which includes the provision “as may be allowed by law,” does not give it the authority to put up gaming stations outside the freeport.

“We have received verified information about jai-alai operations of Meridien in other provinces outside Cagayan… They should be arrested and charged,” she said.

She said Meridien’s permit only covers operations in Cagayan, but it has supposedly extended its operations to Pangasinan, Isabela, Oriental Mindoro and some areas in Metro Manila.

De Lima said certain officials of Pangasinan also reported to the DOJ that MVGC’s operations allegedly serve as front for jueteng.

The MVGC immediately contested the position of the DOJ. In a statement, it said it “has fully abided by the laws governing its operations.”

“We stand by that Court of Appeals decision and we would like to appeal to all government agencies to respect the due process of law. The good secretary’s opinion can be argued in courts and not through public opinion. But it is our humble opinion that she is not a judge or a jury,” it said.

“We believe that she might have just fallen for wrong information fed to her by jueteng lords who continue to operate with impunity. Their identities will be made available in the proper forum and for a sincere investigation of illegal gambling in this country,” it added.

The MVGC said De Lima was wrong in saying that RA 954 still stands, saying it has been superseded by RA 7992, the law creating the jai-alai gaming firm.