PCSO seeks backing for legal STL operator in Negros Occ.

THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) in Negros Occidental is appealing to provincial officials for support for the authorized operator of small-town lottery (STL) in the province.

In a letter dated February 20, PCSO Provincial Manager Jose Manuel Villagracia requested the support of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, Kabankalan City Mayor Benjie Miranda, and the 31 barangay captains of Kabankalan for Super Beagler, Inc., the PCSO-issued STL Authorized Agent Corporation (STL-AAC) in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.

He said that STL-AAC is "the only entities or persons authorized to operate and conduct STL in their respective areas of operations."

He pointed out that other STL operations in the province of Negros Occidental, such as the "New STL," are illegal.

The success of STL games "will help the national government raise additional charity funds and increase the number of people who will greatly benefit from PCSO's medical and charity assistance work for the less privileged," Villagracia added.

He also noted that additional revenues from the game are intended to benefit constituents through local government units by allocating corresponding STL shares from gross sales of STL operations.

The PCSO's appeal follows an entrapment operation on illegal STL operations in Kabankalan City on February 15, which led to the arrest of bet collectors Renante Brioso, Reda Ayala, Janet Fustor, and bettor Glen Binigay.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Bacolod conducted the operation following information about the existence of illegal STL in Barangays 5, 6, and 7 in Kabankalan City.

NBI Bacolod Chief Renoir Baldovino said that they have summoned Barangay 5 Chief Joel Alebajo and Barangay 6 Captain France Jonard Seguero, a certain Mam, and JR Basinillo for allegedly being protectors and operators, or bookies, of the illegal STL operations.

Charges have been filed against the suspects, and the NBI is waiting for the barangay officials in Kabankalan City, who were issued subpoenas to report to their office.

Two punong barangays and a former elected official were named as alleged operators and protectors of the illegal operation of STL in Kabankalan City. Baldovino refused to name the former elected official.