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Sec. Joey Lina takes a gamble
THE announcement came as if from nowhere. Media took it in
stride, and few viewed it with optimism. Were it not from
one who takes on public service seriously, the announcement
could have been treated as a mere footnote to a host of far-reaching
issues of that day --- save perhaps for the ludicrous outpouring
of attention given by media and hysterical fans to the unheroic
death of popular matinee idol Rico Yan.
Emerging from a daylong "National Summit Against Illegal
Gambling" hosted by the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) at Camp Crame, Sec. Joey Lina said in all
candor: "If in one year, the campaign (against illegal
gambling in the country) proves futile, I am willing to put
my neck on the line."
What Sec. Lina had in mind is the long, oft-repeated, now-you-see-now-you-don't
government campaign against two of the most pernicious illegal
numbers game in the country today: jueteng in Luzon and parts
of Visayas, and masiao in Mindanao. He gave himself a year
to prove his resolve, after which time, he is ready to resign
or be removed from office if he cannot put a stop to them.
For too long, these problems have been with us. Various options
have been proposed spanning from providing legalized alternatives
such as Bingo 2-Ball and Small Town Lottery, to outright legalization
--- if only to provide government with another source of income
through taxes that may be collected from them.
However, the problem goes deeper than that. I remember as
a teenager, roaming the streets of a small agrarian town in
Laguna, being witness to daily visits by a middle-age woman
--- with my aunts, uncles and cousins coughing up P2-P3 of
their hard earned money betting for their favorite combinations.
The transaction lasted for less than a minute, with no hassle
whatsoever. It was as if there had been a prior meeting of
the minds, each one treating each other with trust and respect.
The meeting was done in public, even in the presence of barangay
officials and police (Philippine Constabulary at the time).
In the afternoon, the same woman would again do her round
of the neighborhood announcing the winning numbers. But more
often, "better luck next time" could be heard and
only on very rare occasion could a bettor be seen jumping
in ecstasy for being declared winner --- followed of course
by sharing of a few pesos to some of the winner's favorites,
and then the usual afternoon drinking spree with his barkada.
The point we are driving at is that this illegal numbers
game, particularly jueteng, has become part of our culture.
From rural communities, it too has become an accepted practice
in urban settings patronized mostly by poor folks with no
ambition of becoming instant millionaires out of it. We concede,
however, that in case of the legal lotto draws and sweepstakes,
this dream of striking rich is present, but not in jueteng
which DILG now suddenly wants eradicated.
There is thus the view that jueteng and masiao provide the
poor sector of our society with a welcome respite and marginal
hope of breaking the drudgery of daily life. If the rich have
their high-stake mahjong and casino, why deny the many of
their inexpensive pastimes?
But going back to Sec. Lina's self-imposed order to consider
leaving the Cabinet if he cannot put an end to these illegal
games in a year's time.
We have no doubt as to Mr. Lina's sincerity and good intentions.
We have known him as a senator and as governor of our province.
As governor, we witnessed the effort and dedication he judiciously
poured into the same campaign, and true enough, Laguna during
his incumbency experienced a resurgence of high moral standard
in public governance, and illegal gambling had been forcefully
addressed. While jueteng was not completely eradicated, a
strong moral compulsion to rid the province of jueteng (and
prohibited drugs) was put in place. He made the call and the
people responded positively, principally due to the style
and sincerity of leadership he provided.
Thus, Sec. Lina's determined campaign against jueteng and
masiao should be taken seriously.Our local officials and the
PNP --- directly under DILG's supervision --- should not treat
his call lightly, nor view it with skepticism. Gambling lords
and their financiers should likewise take note. We know he
has what it takes that can make a difference. He must be supported
in this campaign --- a positional gamble and challenge indeed
--- coming from one with a clean and God-fearing heart and
mind. *
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You may email the author at ernie@philippinestoday.net
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