Pro-STL folks share 3 common reasons
Public hearing on Small Town Lottery presided by
City Councilor Armand Parcon (in yellow shirt).
Photo by A.Chris Fernandez
Ilonggos who are in favor of the revival of Small Town Lottery (STL) actually share three common reasons as learned in the first two days of the conduct of public hearing by the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) committee on games, amusement and professional sports on the proposal to revive the numbers game which has been legalized by the government.
Committee chair City Councilor Armand Parcon said those who favor the STL operation have the following common reasons: employment for more people, the barangays have shares in the proceeds of the lottery and it could eradicate illegal number games.
Parcon said most of those who were around in the public hearing last June 19 and 20 were barangay captains and residents who favor the resurgence of STL. Parcon also observed that majority of those who join in the different radio surveys thru text are also in favor of the number game.
Sources said most of barangay officials who joined in the public hearing were requested by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Sr. Parcon did not comment on this information.
Church representatives were also around to defend their stand opposing the revival of the STL finding it "immoral". The officers of the Iloilo Small Town Lottery and Gaming Corporation were also around during the hearing.
However, Parcon could not yet say whether the reason and ideas peddled by pro-STL groups have already convinced the committee to recommend the passage of a resolution of no objection for the operation of the lottery.
Parcon said they have to wait for the guiding principles on the operation of STL, which a group from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will be discussing on the January 29 hearing. The committee will act according to the guiding principles of the PCSO, Parcon said.
It is the PCSO which will tackle on the sharing scheme of the local government,
barangay and the other stakeholders of the STL. The percentage or the sharing scheme should be discussed by the PCSO since most of those who are for the STL are banking on their shares.
They (PCSO) will reportedly allocate 30 percent of the total proceeds for lottery for the local government. The 30 percent share is called as charity fund. The local government concerned will then allocated some percentage for the barangay.