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Bishop Villegas rejects STL in Bataan
25 April 2006— Bishop Soc Villegas of the Diocese of Balanga slammed the government's Small Town Lottery (STL) and said he does not want it to operate anywhere in his diocese.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Villegas expressed fear over the spreading of gambling in their province which he described as the "source of corruption in the government."
Noting that the province often referred to as the "cradle of heroes," he said that STL devalue the heroism they want for Bataan.
What is worst in gambling, according to Villegas, is that it could lead to addiction until people neglect their children because the money they are supposed to spend for food and education is misused in gambling.
"They teach indolence instead of diligence and they bring deceit instead of honesty," he said.
The statement, written in Filipino, was to be read in all parishes in Bataan during Mass and in barangays with "bible service with Holy Communion" on April 29 and 30.
The prelate also urged the faithful to block the proliferation of gambling and not to reelect government officials promoting gambling in Bataan in the next elections.
"They are not supposed to lead this province whose people strive to be heroes," he said. "They are our enemies."
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