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Sunday, May 22, 2005
Arroyo orders filing of cases v. those involved in jueteng
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Saturday wants charges filed against those who benefited from the illegal numbers game called jueteng instead of relying on hearsay.
Arroyo, in a speech at the 2005 Visayas Area Business Conference in Eastern Samar, called for a united front to lick the culture of gambling, especially among the poor.
"Lets then work together in addressing the problem of illegal gambling while enforcing the law rather than engaging in mud-slinging and character assassination. I strongly urge the filing of charges against anyone involved in payola and no one will be spared even as I urge investigation into the matter not to be centered on hearsay," she said.
Arroyo said her administration's goal is to "come out with policies that would encourage our people to work hard rather than entrust their lives to games of luck."
"That's why we must focus on the economy, investments and jobs," she added.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita was just expressing his personal opinion when he said that jueteng should be legalized to prevent any more scandals.
Ermita had said the legalization of jueteng would make it like lotto, where government and the people would benefit from the proceeds.
Bunye did not comment on reports that Arroyo had accepted bribes from jueteng operators. He said what is important is that "hindi kinokonsinte ng Pangulo ang jueteng (the President does not tolerate that)." (JMR)
(May 22, 2005 issue)
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