Ex-PNP chief Verzosa, local execs deny jueteng involvement

(Update 2 - 11:46 p.m.) Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Verzosa and two local officials on Wednesday denied accusations that they were involved in jueteng or any other form of illegal gambling. Verzosa, Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino, Jr. and Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan issued their denials at the Senate blue ribbon committee's hearing on the illegal numbers game. "I categorically deny any involvement in any of these allegations," Verzosa said during the inquiry. Retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz had earlier tagged Verzosa as a payola recipient while Espino and Domogan as jueteng operators. Cruz, however, was not able to present any proof to back up his allegations. Verzosa, however, admitted knowing alleged jueteng collectors Rey Cachuela and Ely Fontanilla. "(Cachuela) is a retired PNP official. (Fontanilla is a) friend of some of my friends," he said. Espino and Domogan said they support Cruz in his crusade against jueteng. Espino, however, said that Cruz is probably being misled by "overzealous informants." "I am not, I have never been, I have no intention of becoming a jueteng operator," he said during the hearing, adding that he was able to stop jueteng operations in his province after Cruz's expose. Domogan, for his part, said that it was "unfair" for him and his family to be dragged into the jueteng scandal depsite their stand that against any form of illegal gambling. "There is no truth to the report. This is totally unfair," said Domogan. The local executives likewise asked the Senate to be more "circumspect" in releasing information that could destroy the reputations of people. "(I hope) he (Cruz) realizes how much grief and anxiety this controversy has caused my immediate family, friends, especially my ageing mother," Espino said. "I have always taken care of my name, knowing that is the only legacy i can leave. (But) we have no defense if you will be tried and convicted by publicity, it will take time before you can erase the stigma," Domogan added. In the same hearing, Senator Teofisto Guingona III, who chairs the Blue Ribbon committee, read a PNP intelligence report on monthly jueteng earnings, signed by PNP deputy director for intelligence Chief Supt. Noel Manabat. According to the report, the province of Pampanga earns P300 million every month; Pangasinan, P240 million; Quezon province, P180 million; Batangas, P150 million; and the provinces of Tarlac, Nueva Ecija and Bulacan, with P120 million each. — RSJ/JV, GMANews.TV