Saturday, December 16, 2006

Filipino bishops have decided to take on both illegal and state-run gambling
for Christmas and have urged Catholics to remember the spirit of the season
and not throw away their money. Launched by one of the country's most
charismatic prelates, Mgr Oscar Cruz, archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, the
campaign has targeted illegal and government-run games. For almost five
years now, the prelate has been involved in an all out fight against betting
and gambling which has earned him the enmity of game lords and death
threats. His campaign received a boost in the last few days when the
Bishops'
Conference decided to join him. Its chairman, Mgr Angel N. Lagdameo, made an
"urgent and ardent appeal" urging local and national officials, ordinary
citizens and business leaders to say "No" to numbers game. His appeal was
read in Catholic churches in last Sunday mass, the second Sunday of Advent.
The prelate said that he was "happy and quite satisfied" when national
authorities decided to join the bishops to fight the problem. "This way they
show they are united against this social scourge". Mgr Cruz's main target is
jueteng, the Philippines' most popular game. It has become a national
phenomenon that generated gambling activities worth 13 billion pesos "over
185 million euros or close to 250 US dollars) last year, a business run by
14 or 15 gambling lords who divided up the Philippines 24 provinces among
themselves and will do anything to protect their interests. The bishop told
AsiaNews that "about 85 per cent of this money goes into payolas, kickbacks,
to protect the 'gambling lords' and are paid out to government, police, army
and even media. If you don't like it, you're not welcome in the country,"
the prelate explained.

For this reason, Archbishop Cruz has received threatening phone calls and
letters as well as death threats. But he won't let up and give in to fear.

"In the country, the phenomenon is so widespread because Filipinos have
bought into a gambling culture. We are an agricultural country and farmers
have long periods of free time. This way, rackets can set roots and play on
people's hope for the big one as they spend their time having fun," he said.

Gambling is not only widespread among the poor but also among higher social
classes, who are "more narrow-minded and tight-fisted" and play a "game
different from jueteng".