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Anti-Jueteng Crusade Ups Campaign Vs. STL
26 April 2006 – Dismayed by the government's rather half-hearted stance on eradicating the illegal numbers game of jueteng and as the small-town lottery (STL) is currently in its test run in four areas in Luzon, the Church-based Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng (National Crusade Against Jueteng) has announced today that it is temporarily withholding its annual anti-jueteng crusade awards for this year and is instead launching an even more aggressive campaign against all forms of gambling, legal or illegal, through its newly-formed advocacy named "Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Sugal" (National Crusade Against Gambling).
In a press conference held today at the CBCP's Media Conference Room, the KBLJ (Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng) has assailed the government's "duplicity" in curbing the plaguing illegal numbers game by introducing STL as its legal cover-up. "Jueteng and STL are gambling twins exploiting the same poor people and benefiting the same gambling lords," said the KBLJ statement signed by its chairman, archbishop Oscar Cruz.
"It is amazing how Malacanang has itself become addicted to gambling as the main beneficiary of gambling returns from all over the land through PAGCOR for the rich, LOTTO for the middle class, and STL for the poor," the statement added.
With the cancellation of its anti-jueteng crusade awards for this year, the KBLJ, it stated, is resolved rather to attend or focus on three prime agenda to counter the gambling culture promoted by Malacanang, namely – "First, to monitor the STL-Jueteng operations in the country. Second, to undertake a better structured anti-gambling education campaign. Third, to have a co-partner in its advocacy to be named and known as 'Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Sugal' (KBLS)."
"The purpose of this new crusade is to expose the ugly face of gambling – be it legal or illegal, jueteng, STL, PAGCOR, Lotto, etc. – and to educate everyone the bare truth about gambling, that it is morally unacceptable," said KBLJ chair archbishop Oscar Cruz.
Contrary to what critics allege that jueteng, as a form of gambling already deeply rooted in Philippine society, can in no way be totally eradicated, the KBLJ believes otherwise. "It can be stopped if only local government authorities – the governors and mayors – will firmly resolve to stop it," said KBLJ executive director Gary David.
Jueteng whistleblower and now KBLJ advocate Boy mayor likewise echoed a similar answer, "Not only the mayors and the governors, but more effectively even the media also can certainly help stop jueteng by being relentlessly vigilant."
Similarly, when asked if indeed it is possible to stop jueteng, archbishop Cruz categorically answered, "Yes, it is – if only the government, or particularly the President, will categorically decide and implement so. In fact, this has been proven in the past, though intermittently for some short periods only, like during the time of then PNP Chief Ping Lacson and even also of Gen. Ebdane's term. How much more if it will be the President herself who will finally resolve to put an end to this scourge of jueteng."
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