STL in Benguet – Pacalso

BENGUET Governor Cresensio Pacalso is agaisnt all forms of gambling in the province.

“All types of gambling if you ask me is not good to everyone. There are some who would say they are lucky in gambling but maybe that’s one in a million.”

Pacalso said gambling is not allowed in the province, “illegal gambling is supposed to be not allowed but Small Town Lottery (STL) is now being handled actually we are receiving our share from STL.”

Philippine National Police has no reports of apprehension submitted to the governor.

“In the past they get apprehensions on bet collectors but now that there’s STL we don’t have that anymore,” Pacalso said.

Provincial Administrator Attorney Noel Ngolob said as far as the province is concerned they have never approved any gambling operations.

“Of course, we heard they are supposed to get the endorsement of the LGU, but we did not, we never gave any endorsement. Ang gusto natin kapag ganyan during public consultations if the decision of the public is not to allow it they have to respect the decision of the public ganoon naman tayo.”

Benguet’s capitol town, La Trinidad has hotspots for gambling in the Pico and Buyagan area where bets and games are played with police on continuous monitoring for gambling.

Ngolob said “So we do not really say bawal pero because according to the law we do not have the power to prohibit if an activity is sanctioned by the national government. At least sana kung we could be involved in the decision.”