Oso leads Capitol drive vs STL in Iloilo
Government efforts to draw support for the entry of the Small-Time Lottery (STL) will see stiff opposition in the Province of Iloilo.
Such, after a senior member of the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) will come out to make official his anti-STL stance in a privilege speech tomorrow (Tuesday).
Proponent is Board Member Domingo Oso (Fourth District) who vowed to block any plans to have STL operational in Iloilo towns. His position is expected to gather support from fellow SP members with a Resolution slated to be passed thereafter.
Oso's move came amidst continued campaign of local church leaders and religious groups on STL resurgence.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) with no less than Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo at its helm has since strongly voiced out its objection on the STL operation.
"It's anything but small-time," the bishops in a statement said as it went on to openly criticize the government for pushing said numbers game.
The STL is currently on its "test run" in four areas in Luzon however similar plans are underway in the region. Such has pushed the Church to an even more aggressive campaign, "legal or illegal" through its newly-formed advocacy named "Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Sugal" (National Crusade Against Gambling).
The crusade has assailed what it said was the "government's "duplicity" in curbing the plaguing illegal numbers game by introducing STL as its legal cover-up."
"Jueteng and STL are gambling twins exploiting the same poor people and benefiting the same gambling lords," said the KBLJ statement signed by its chairman, archbishop Oscar Cruz."It is amazing how Malacañang has itself become addicted to gambling as the main beneficiary of gambling returns from all over the land through PAGCOR for the rich, LOTTO for the middle class, and STL for the poor,"the statement added.
Oso is expected to give a thumbs up on the Church's position where focus is now on in three prime agenda - counter the gambling culture purportedly promoted by Malacanang, by monitoring the STL-Jueteng operations in the country. Second, to undertake a better structured anti-gambling education campaign. Third, to have a co-partner in its advocacy to be named and known as 'Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Sugal' (KBLS)."
"The purpose of this new crusade is to expose the ugly face of gambling- be it legal or illegal, jueteng, STL, PAGCOR, Lotto, etc.- and to educate everyone the bare truth about gambling, that it is morally unacceptable,"said KBLJ chair archbishop Oscar Cruz.
Contrary to what critics allege that jueteng, as a form of gambling already deeply rooted in Philippine society, can in no way be totally eradicated, the KBLJ believes otherwise. "It can be stopped if only local government authorities- the governors and mayors- will firmly resolve to stop it," said KBLJ executive director Gary David.