Eye Opener
Gov. Tupas opposes STL operations in Iloilo
In a press statement with a local daily recently, Gov. Tupas has reportedly rejected the proposed holding of Small Town Lottery (STL) in Iloilo. According to the Governor STL is gambling like the daily double and jueteng and the gambling lords will be the ones to benefit from the operation of STL. Although five provinces in Luzon have been piloted for the operation of STL, the numbers game had already met opposition in Quezon City, Davao City and Cebu. Once the DILG and PCSO serenade municipal mayors in Iloilo, can Gov. Tupas influence the mayors not to hold STL in their respective towns?
In the first district where the Garins are the acknowledged kingpin, can the mayors say No to STL?
In the 2nd district where Boboy Syjuco is the undisputed leader, can the Iloilo governor persuade the mayors not to accept STL in their towns?
In the 3rd and 4th districts where Rep. Arthur Defensor and Rep. Ferjinel Biron, respectively, are indomitable leaders, will Gov. Tupas convince the town chief executives to say No to STL?
In the 5th district where Tupas is the acknowledged leader, majority of the mayors may say No to STL.
Let's watch the development once the DILG and PCSO visit the 42 town executives, 1 component city and Iloilo City.
Tupas said that the moral fiber of the Ilonggos, particularly the youth, will be greatly affected once the numbers game is introduced in Iloilo. What if majority of students in the elementary, high school and college will become gamblers? What will their future be if the only occupation they know is gambling?
Bishop Johnny Yasa, Pastor of the Bethel Temple and President of the Evangelical Ministers Federation of Iloilo is vigorously opposed to the holding of STL in the city and province of Iloilo. Yasa said that STL “will destroy the integrity, honesty and loyalty of the youth to their fellow youth in the country.” He cited passages in the Holy Bible about stealing/gambling. The outspoken EMFIC President said that STL is gambling, hence it is stealing the people's hard earned wages. “You shall not steal,” Exodus 20:15. “You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him.” Leviticus 19:13, “You shall not steal,” Deuteonomy 5:19 and Psalms 62:10, “Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart in them. The Pentecostal Bishop said that STL will entice people, mostly poor, to take their chances and bet on the STL. People who gamble are not good stewards of God. They gamble and the money provided by God for their daily food will go to STL,” the good Bishop enthused.
Meanwhile, Rev. Dr. Ben Barredo III, Professor at Immanuel Christian Seminary at Ledesco Village believes that gambling is an abomination to God. Barredo who is also the full time Pastor of God's Power Fellowship and Messiah Bible Church feels that STL is gambling which is not of God as it is stealing the honest wages of wage earners and employees.
There are a number of Christians who said thet STL will help the unemployment problem in the city and province of Iloilo and the numbers game will bolster the revenue of cities and towns.