City Hall issues business permit to STL operator
Ilonggos who are for or against the operation of the Small Town Lottery (STL) should keep watch on the developments on the proposed resurgence of the numbers game after an "agent" has already acquired a business permit to operate in Iloilo City.
Councilor Armand Parcon, chair of the committee on games, amusement and professional sports said they will conduct a series of public hearings to know the sentiments of the Ilonggos on the proposed operation of the STL.
An agent, in the name of Guillermo de la Cruz, president of the Iloilo Small Town Lottery and Gaming Corporation has written the Sangguniang Panlungsod for the favorable endorsement of the council for STL's operation.
A favorable endorsement from the council is one of the requirements mandated by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to establish STL thru an authorized licensee. The office of the Iloilo Small Town Lottery and Gaming Corporation is in Bayani Bldg., Plaza Libertad. Only a wall separates them from the office of the chief executive.
In his letter, De la Cruz cited that "it can not be denied that many of the Ilonggos and their dependents have been misplaced by the stoppage of the daily double operation and the government has not provided them with alternative sources of livelihood. This was further aggravated by the rising costs of living all over the country."
De la Cruz added that should the city council favorably endorse their request, they "can provide a decent and legal means of livelihood to a great number of poor Ilonggos and the national government thru the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Bureau of Internal Revenue and the local government shall have a share in its proceeds."
Guillermo added that the "public will be protected from the malpractices of unscrupulous operators." His letter to the city council was dated June 5, 2006. They were granted business permit as early as May 3, 2006.
In the late 90s, the operation of the STL was declared illegal by the court. However, the present administration through its appointed anti-gambling czar Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn recommended for the reopening of STL as an alternative to jueteng or daily double. In some parts of the country, the STL is already operational.
Parcon said all sectors in the society such as the church, bet collectors, academe and the stakeholders should be consulted. He said he will check on the availability of the conference room at the Sangguniang Panlungsod before they will announce the date of the public hearings.
The outcome of the council's approval of the request depends on the results of the public hearings. There are issues that needs to be clarified about the re existence of the STL such as the gains of the government and the legal implication should the council decide not to endorse their request even if they have already secured a business permit.
On January 23, 2005, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has already expressed their strong objection on the reopening of the STL. The CBCP thru Rev. Fr. Meliton Oso reiterated the same stand against systemic, organized, and widespread gambling whether legal or illegal for it creates "a culture of gambling that is seriously eroding the moral values of the people.
The same CBCP statement said if the government can not curb illegal gambling, how well can we trust it to find solution to widespread corruption? If the government is telling us that the best way to solve this problem is to make it legal? If the government can not provide its people with a more decent and productive lifestyle then something must be wrong with its leadership? The CBCP furnished Vice Mayor Guillermo de la Llana of their stand.
Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry Treñas said he could not categorically say on whether he is for the operation of the STL or not. He, however said there is already no question on the legality of the reoperation of the STL.
The chief executive said that even if the applicant has already secured a business permit and yet they have to wait for the "favorable endorsement or a resolution of no objection" from the city council.