During its recent regular meeting, the board decided to conduct public consultations on the proposed STL operation province-wide to determine if not the people of the province are in favor of the introduction of the government-regulated numbers game.

A provincial member, who requested anonymity, said that most members of the legislative body are worried about their political career in case they make a mistake in their actions on the proposal, thus, they want to first feel the pulse of the people on the matter.

Another thing that worries the board members is the influence of religious groups on the populace and that endorsing the perceived jueteng replica will mean losing support from the community’s influential groups.

Earlier, religious groups in the province vowed to stage a series of protests and mobilize the people to air their opposition to the STL operations because it will encourage among the poor which is not good for their productivity.

The proposed resolution authorizing STL operations in the province was supposed to be discussed by the board but most board members are not keen on endorsing the controversial numbers game.

Numbers Co., Inc., a Philippine Charity Sweepstakes office-accredited company, manifested its intention to operate STL in the province on an experimental basis and sought the endorsement of the local government.

The STL, which is authorized by the PCSO, is aimed at providing an alternative source of livelihood for those displaced by the eradication of jueteng, the so-called poor man’s game.

Under the resolution, the provincial government will support the operation of STL in the whole province for one year subject to certain conditions as prescribed by the law.

The legalized jueteng game is aimed at raising more funds for charity and to combat and permanently eradicate illegal numbers games such as jueteng, masiao, and the last two.

The proponent plans to operate STL at the provincial and municipal levels to generate more funds for local charitable undertaking, economic development and other social activities.

However, Governor Boromeo Melchor vowed to veto the resolution in case the board approves it since he believes that the introduction of another numbers game to eradicate another is not a solution to the present problem on the proliferation of illegal numbers games.