Government to go all-out vs jai-alai operations

MANILA, Philippines - After winning twin victories in court, the government will go all-out in its campaign against jai-alai betting operations of Meridien Vista Gaming Corp. (MVGC) purportedly being used as front for jueteng.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo have given the go-signal for the implementation of their recent 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.”

This, after the Pasay City regional trial court lifted its three-day temporary restraining order enjoining the DOJ and DILG from carrying out the memorandum and after the Court of Appeals issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against an order of an Aparri, Cagayan RTC that enjoined the Games and Amusement Board from enforcing its cease-and-desist order issued last April against all jai-alai off-fronton operations of MVGC.

“With these developments and there being no more legal impediment, Secretary Robredo and I agreed to go on an offensive in the implementation of the DOJ-DILG joint memo,” she said in a text message.

De Lima said in a press conference that jai-alai operations outside the jurisdiction of Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) are prohibited by Republic Act 954, a 1953 law which she claimed has not been repealed by any later law.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 MVGC’s license from CEZA, which includes the provision “as may be allowed by law,” does not authorize it to put up gaming stations outside the freeport.

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