Cruz: New exposé likely if jueteng probe fizzles out

A retired Catholic archbishop who blew the whistle on jueteng payoffs may make a new exposé if the present administration fails to act on his latest revelations on the illegal numbers game mess. While retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz declined to elaborate, he said the new revelation will test the nation's sense of hope. "Kung walang mangyari pagkatapos ng lahat ng ito, may ibang subject matter, ibang bagay na lalabas, ako sigurado ako riyan. Kapag itong issue ng jueteng ay walang nangyari, merong iba naman na susunod sa jueteng na masubukan ang ating bansa kung may pag-asa o wala na," Cruz said in an interview on dzBB radio. (If nothing happens from this latest investigation, there will be a new exposé that will test us as a nation.) Asked if his expose involves gambling, he would only say, "saka na lang po (I will elaborate later)." On Tuesday, Cruz attended a Senate investigation into jueteng payoffs where he gave senators a list of government officials receiving money from jueteng, including Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno and retired National Police chief Jesus Verzosa. (See: Puno, Verzosa, other gov't execs tagged in jueteng mess) The retired archbishop heads a nationwide crusade against gambling, including jueteng.

But for now, Cruz said he is clinging to hope that the Aquino administration will act on his revelations. He also said he will testify at another hearing on the matter in the House of Representatives. "We will see where this will lead us. There is new hope in this new administration. I hope the people can get something out of this new exposé," he said. "I do not want to lose hope. As much as possible I want to hang on to hope," he added. Palace in no hurry Meanwhile, Malacañang is in no hurry to sanction government officials retired archbishop Cruz linked to jueteng payola. Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma said President Aquino's priority now is his working visit to the United States. "The president has not given any order so far. But let us put things in context. His priorities for now are clear," Coloma said in an interview on dzXL radio Wednesday. Aquino is in the United States, leading a 57-member Philippine delegation on a working visit. The delegation is due to return September 28. On Cruz's revelations during the Senate hearing, Coloma said that it was was only the initial stage of the investigation, and there is no evidence yet to back the retired bishop's claims. "What Cruz disclosed is part of the initial stage of what the Senate is doing. There is no evidence to support it as of now. There are also procedures the Senate will follow, as part of its oversight functions over the executive, and as part of its process of drafting remedial legislation," he said in Filipino. Coloma stressed President Aquino is aware of what transpired at Tuesday's Senate hearing. "Namo-monitor naman ng pangulo ang kaganapan dito. At kung maalala natin, noong unang nabunyag yan ang unang tugon niya sana ay pangalanan at siya naman ay handa gawin ang dapat gawin paimbestigahan yan. Daanin natin sa legal na proseso para magkaroon ng resolution yang mga paratang na yan," he said. (The president is monitoring the jueteng issue. If you will recall, he has asked people to give him information and evidence and he will act on it.) He recalled Aquino asking the public to just provide names and evidence, "even if little, (and) I will have it pursued." — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV