Aquino orders Robredo to craft comprehensive plan vs jueteng

President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III on Monday ordered Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo to come up with a comprehensive plan to stamp out jueteng, a popular illegal numbers game. Aquino said he ordered Robredo to craft the report last week even before retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz claimed that two of Aquino's trusted officials, who deal with security matters, allegedly accept at least P2 million monthly payola from jueteng operators. "Hinihingi ko sa kanya in coordination with other officials of government to come up with comprehensive plan that deals with jueteng," Aquino said in an ambush interview after an oath-taking ceremony in Malacañang. Aquino said the government should not satisfy itself with the arrests of kubradors or bet collectors and others involved in the illegal numbers game. He said he wants Robredo's report to include, among others, how to prevent those involved in jueteng from jumping to other illegal trades like drug trafficking in case jueteng is stamped out. Aquino said he also expects the report to include how the government can make small town lottery (STL) more "competitive" against jueteng, which is believed to be more popular in the localities where STL was marketed as an alternative to the illegal numbers game. Cruz, a longtime anti-jueteng crusader, said years ago that some jueteng lords use STL as a front for their operations. He said gamblers will likely reject STL and stick with jueteng because the bets in jueteng are cheaper, and its rules are more lenient. Jueteng bettors can win regardless of the sequence of numbers while STL requires straight betting. The bishop also said STL uses the numbers 1 to 40, while jueteng only uses numbers 1 to 37, so there is a bigger chance of losing in STL. P2 million only? Aquino maintained that his government does not tolerate jueteng, adding that he is generally not in favor with the idea of legalizing jueteng, as some personalities like former President Joseph Estrada proposed. "Gambling is not a productive venture, except for the people who run it," he said. The President said the government will not wait for Cruz to give the names of those he is accusing of benefiting from jueteng. "If he gives it, thank you very much. If he doesn't give it, that doesn't stop us from ferreting out all the people who are in violation of the law," he said. Aquino said he found interesting Cruz's claim that two officials are receiving only P2 million each month, as he pointed out that jueteng is believed to be a P37-billion-a-year industry. "Hindi natin maaiwasan mag-isip (We can't help but wonder). Yung P2 million na figure kasi per month compared to the billions that are going into jueteng seems such a pitiful amount," he said. Security issues Earlier in the day, Cruz said he will not disclose the names of the officials allegedly receiving jueteng payola. He instead advised Aquino to use the intelligence capabilities of the agencies under him. Cruz said he is hesitant to provide evidence about the government officials involved in jueteng because he fears for the safety of the witnesses after one whistle-blower, Wilfredo "Boy" Mayor, was gunned down earlier this year. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the government is willing to provide security for Cruz if necessary. "If he requests for one, I think if his life is threatened and he is going to give us information, then we will do the necessary actions to protect his life," Lacierda said at a noontime press briefing in Malacañang on Monday. Lacierda said it would be easier for the government to investigate Cruz's claims if the bishop gives them names. "He has already the names, why go through the circuitous route of investigation, when he already claims he has the names and he has the evidence. We would be more than happy to investigate the names if he mentioned," he said. "Archbishop Cruz should not treat us as enemies in this fight against jueteng," added Lacierda. –VVP/KBK, GMANews.TV