Senate begins probe on jueteng payola

The Senate blue ribbon committee on Tuesday began its investigation on a retired bishop's claim that some officials of the Aquino administration are receiving monthly payoffs from jueteng operators. Senator Teofisto Guingona III, who heads the blue ribbon committee, said the hearing will provide a forum for concerned people to come and say their piece regarding the proliferation of jueteng operations in the country. He said they aim to find out the extent of the problem; how the problem can be stopped through a law; and if there is a need to craft a new law that would help remedy it. "This investigation is being conducted in aid of legislation, not in aid of prosecution. (We aim to) come up with law reform to help change the status quo," Guingona said at the start of the hearing.

Present during the hearing were retired Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz, who alleged that officials in the Aquino government have been acting as either jueteng operators themselves or protectors of jueteng operators; Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno; Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo; and Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office (PCSO) Small Town Lotteries (STL) project manager Romualdo Quiñones. The hearing is being conducted in cooperation with the Senate committees on rules and local government. During the 10th Congress, the Senate blue ribbon committee conducted a total of eight hearings on the proliferation of jueteng operations in the country. The Senate then came out with a series of recommendations, including the amendment of laws that would increase the penalties for those found guilty of illegal gambling; include the protection of jueteng operators under the graft and corruption; remove from PAGCOR the power to grant casino franchises; declare lotto illegal; and remove or replace all police officers assigned to areas where illegal gambling still exists. During the 13th Congress, there were also eight hearings conducted on jueteng under the Senate committee on public order and illegal drugs. The Senate, however, did not come out with a recommendation during that time. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMANews.TV