NEWLY-INSTALLED Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong expressed his administration’s zero tolerance against illegal gambling in the city.
“Illegal gambling is a big problem here in our city,” Magalong stressed.
Magalong during his inaugural speech on Sunday said all illegal gambling activities in the city should stop operation effective July 1, and has ordered the Philippine National Police to take the lead, aside from urging the public to be vigilant.
“This are desperate times and we need desperate measures also, radical decisions are needed to be done and if we are looking for someone who has the political will, then now is the time. I’m not looking beyond three years, I’m looking at the next three years. I do not intend to widen my political base, I just simply have to do what is right for Baguio as what I promised and I will do that,” said the mayor.
Magalong also clarified the one strike police does not apply as he does not have control over the local police.
“On the one strike policy, I’ll leave that to the police. I cannot go overboard because it’s beyond my scope. I have given an instruction to the police and I will follow up on what they have done. I want them to develop a result effective immediately. All gambling areas should not be present anymore,” Magalong explained.
Meanwhile, Magalong warned fixers at the city hall and vowed all the necessary sanctions against them.
“Fixers have no place inside and outside city hall. An investigation is already underway against those who are reported to be involved, I hope this is a fair warning,” Magalong added.
Baguio City’s new chief executive also assured the implementation of the performance governance system for all departments in city hall which will serve as a deterrent to corruption.