Leaders regroup for all-out drive to reject STL bid
Dexter A. See
BAGUIO CITY – A plan for an experimental operation of the controversial Small Town Lottery (STL) in this mountain resort city by an amusement company will not get the support of many sectors despite blatant efforts to railroad its approval in the city council.
This developed as anti-gambling advocates led by religious sects here have started to regroup for the launching of an all-out campaign to prevent the city council from approving the plan for STL operation in the city.
Earlier, the city council denied requests of three gaming companies to test-run STL in the city due to the stiff opposition by various sectors.
The anti-gambling groups are expected to stage a series of rallies to dramatize their opposition to the planned STL operation in the city because it would weaken the moral fiber of the people and would result in social unrest.
Furthermore, a petition denouncing the allegedly grand design of some local officials, who are allegedly in cahoots with gambling lords to railroad the endorsement for the STL operation in the city is now being circulated in the different barangays.
The residents are being asked to sign the petition in a bid to stop the STL plan.
Green2 Corpo., an amusement-gaming firm based in Nueva Ecija, informed the city council of its intent to manage, operate, and/or participate in the actual experimental operation of STL, promising that it would support the objective of city officials to serve residents by way of social and economic development.
The company said it is committed to provide employment to the constituents of the city.
At the same time, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office-regulated STL project would provide additional sources of income for the city with the taxes on the gross sales of operations.
Last year, dozens of Church leaders and thousands of laymen signed a manifesto opposing the planned operation of STL in the city.
They said they will not allow legal or illegal gambling to flourish in the city because the issue over morality is paramount over the economic issues.
However, gambling aficionados said STL is no different from "jueteng," the poor man’s game.
Attempts were made in the past to start STL operation in the city but these were foiled by the religious groups.
Some quarters said this latest move might be easily approved due to the reported horse trading.
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