President Rodrigo Duterte pointed to massive corruption as the reason for his order to close all outlets of Lotto, Peryahan ng Bayan, Keno and Small Town Lottery.
It was a drastic move on the part of the President—but it had to be done. The government is being cheated of its share in gambling. Worse, jueteng lords have taken over the STL operations, perpetuating illegal gambling which the government has sworn to eradicate.
It was truly drastic that operators were banned in one fell swoop, after they had to shell out at least P500,000 to secure licenses from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
I have been told that to get permits to operate even small outlets, once has to deal with fixers as well and shell out between P300,000 and P500,000.
The move was necessary. The PCSO is perceived to be a graft-ridden agency.
Who are involved? The President has promised to name them in due time.
Why is graft and corruption so embedded in government? As a journalist of almost 70 years, I can only write about what I have witnessed. I can say it is present in places where human discretion and intervention takes place. For example, for some time I was assigned to cover the Bureau of Customs. We all know its officials and employees get involved in the entry of imports, examination and valuation of duties and taxes.
Similarly at the PCSO, human discretion and intervention are involved in the grant of licenses.
Do you know why there is continued infighting among PCSO directors and officials such that even a well-known Chinese gambling lord is supposedly behind the release of permits?
This is why there have been proposals to privatize the PCSO.
The corrupt system soon enough swallows even the most honest and well-intentioned reformists. If one is appointed to an agency known as corrupt, he or she must be a “team player” who will choose to remain deaf, dumb and blind to what is happening. Sadly, government is no place for honest people.
I remember that during the first years of the Marcos regime, then-Press Secretary Joe Aspiras and noted columnist Ka Doroy Valencia visited me in my PhilamLife Homes in Quezon City. They told me that they were sent by Marcos who wanted an Ilocano as the next press secretary. Aspiras was quitting so he could run for Congress. They told me Mr. Marcos wanted me for the job.
“How much is the salary,” I asked.
“P19,000 a month, with many other perks,” was the answer.
“In that case,” I said, “I could not accept the offer. The amount will not be able to sustain me and my family.”
“We’ll take care of that,” they said. In other words, I stood to earn more from “other sources.” I understood this to mean that I would be compensated with graft money.
I discussed the matter with my wife, who said I should reject the offer. She was worried she might not see me anymore as I would be at the beck and call of the Palace. So I turned down the offer.
Ka Doroy saw us again, and he told my wife: “You are a foolish woman. Don’t you realize what your husband could be getting monthly?”
I think graft and corruption is embedded in government because of the deterioration of Filipinos’ values. Many believe that the government is a milking cow. It was not like this before the Second World War. Then, people were honest. I guess the Japanese Occupation made Filipinos what they are today.
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Metro Manila traffic has always been a problem for motorists and commuters. This is why the proposal to cut the travel time along Edsa is a welcome move. Metro Pacific has proposed to build a P92-billion toll road linking the North Luzon Expressway to the Manila Cavite Expressway. The Metro Pacific Group has in fact submitted to the Department of Public Works and Highways its proposal. This is a worthy project that should be supported by Malacañang.
Speaking of big infrastructure projects, San Miguel’s airport project has entered the final phase of the bidding process without any Swiss Challenge. It’s now all systems go for the New Manila International Airport to be located in Bulakan, Bulacan on 2,500 hectares of flatlands.
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I cannot predict the outcome of the investigation against Vice President Leni Robredo for sedition and inciting to rebellion. But from the looks of it, it’s just a harassment suit against the critics of the administration.
Now if there is proof, the case must be pursued.
One thing is for sure—this is best resolved soonest.
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