LGUs, PNP told: Focus on illegal gambling not just drugs

LGUs, PNP told: Focus on illegal gambling not just drugs (Photo: Senator Ping Lacson/ Facebook)

MANILA— Illegal gambling should be given as much priority as illegal drugs, a senator told representatives from local government units (LGUs) and Philippine National Police (PNP) in a hearing on Tuesday.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, during a senate hearing on the proposal to increase penalties for illegal gambling activities, said LGUs and PNP should coordinate to assure that illegal gambling does not proliferate.

Lacson, however, lamented that what is happening in the opposite—illegal gambling is rampant because of LGUs and PNP acting in collusion with gambling operators.

“Let’s be frank with each other. Illegal gambling would not proliferate if there is no connivance with police personnel on the take. The problem is collusion among police, LGUs and operators,” Lacson said.

He pointed out that if LGUs and PNP coordinated to go after illegal gambling, particularly those using Small town Lottery (STL) operations as front, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) would have higher revenues.

PCSO established the STL to combat illegal numbers game, “jueteng”.

The senator also stressed the importance of amending the over 80-year-old PCSO charter to “to adapt to the times” and allow expansion of STL operations which could generate additional revenue for the office.

“We have to come out with a better PCSO charter with more efficient charity collection,” he added.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno, meanwhile, admitted that operations against illegal gambling diminished because of the campaign against illegal drugs.

Sueno, however, vowed to heed the advice of Lacson and consult with other stakeholders to also prioritize illegal gambling.

Although he stressed that Pres. Rodrigo Duterte himself wanted to address the country’s problems “one at a time” he looked forward to discussing illegal gambling with the President next month.

“We will implement what is best in order to stop this illegal gambling,” Sueno said.