JUETENG IS as old as time. It dates back to as far as the Spanish era. Like dengue does to our population, it plagues every administration, even those with vast mandates from the people. It has triggered the ouster of a president, it throws the whole nation into a brouhaha from time to time, and it has dragged the Catholic Church into political circuses that captivate television and radio audiences.
Jueteng and other games of chance proliferate in poverty-stricken areas, resorted to as a shortcut to easy money because a P10-bet can win as much as P25,000. Gambling encourages laziness, even criminality and immorality.
As a governor, I cannot deny the fact that our province also has its own recurring problem of gambling—not jueteng but the illegal “last two digits” kind of gambling. It’s not as notorious as jueteng, but its outlets were increasing in number, particularly in strategic locations, until I ordered a simultaneous raid on all of them.
I believe what should take precedence is not the idea of legalizing jueteng or any numbers game; it should be the unwavering political will to wipe out gambling in any part of our country. It is only through the dynamic partnership of the Philippine National Police, local government units and the courts of law, backed up by political will and good governance, that jueteng can be totally eradicated.
Give the people something to work for a living, and they will stop relying on gambling. It’s easier said than done, but it can be done.
I can’t imagine a government legalizing jueteng or any numbers game. It would be tantamount to teaching our people to make gambling a part of their daily lives. It would be pushing our people deeper into the quagmire of poverty, criminality and indolence.
Jueteng may buy a president, a police officer, or the entire hierarchies of several government agencies, even private entities. But it cannot buy a good life, a good government, a bright future for our children.
—DOUGLAS RA. CAGAS, MBE, MNSA,
Governor, Davao del Sur,
Provincial Capitol, Barangay Matti,
Digos City, Davao del Sur
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