Duterte backs cops, soldiers owning STL franchises

President Duterte said that there is nothing wrong with police and military generals owning Small Town Lottery (STL) franchises and engaging in businesses as long as they are complying with the law and they are not cheating the government of its rightful share.

Duterte made the statement in his speech during the 118th Police Service Anniversary Celebration in Camp Crame Friday.

Earlier, Senator Panfilo Lacson said that some Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) generals are among those who have cornered STL franchises from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and are not remitting the government's share of earnings.

"There are allegations that police generals, retired, are into the STL, Lotto, and

whatnot. I said you do not have any problem with me," he said Friday evening in his speech during the 118th Police Service Anniversary Celebration in Camp Crame.

"If it's a bidding, you participate as long as it is not rigged in your favor and you secure it, complying with the laws, no corruption, I will not begrudge you," the President said.

Accepting gifts

In the same speech, the President also said he finds nothing irregular when policemen accept gifts from people grateful for their service but reminded them to keep their integrity intact and adhere to ethical and professional standards.

Duterte explained that people giving gifts to policemen after solving a crime does not constitute bribery or other violation of the law.

"Kung bigyan kayo, eh tanggapin ninyo [If you're given a gift, accept it]. It is not bribery because... it cannot be bribery because it is allowed by law. What I mean if there is generosity in them, sabi ng anti-graft you cannot accept gifts. Kalokohan ‘yan," he said.

"If you are able to solve a crime and the family would like to be generous to you or would nurture a feeling of gratitude for what you accomplish, then by all means, accept it," he added.

Former PNP Chief now Senator Panfilo M. Lacson weighed in and reminded the President in a Tweet message: “Mr. President, insatiable greed starts with simple, petty graft. It could be more addicting than drugs. There is no detox, nor is there rehab facility available for addiction to money.”

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, on the other hand said the PNP leadership is discouraging the public from giving gifts to cops in return for their service.

"We submit to the better wisdom of our lawyer-President that it is harmless to receive gifts so long as there is no element of corruption involved and no oppression or abuse of authority is committed," said Banac.

But as much as possible, Banac said they take the initiative of rejecting any gift outright since such tokens are unnecessary.

As public servants, he said policemen are expected to assist people from all walks of life as part of their sworn duty.

"We always explain to the public that there is no need for them to give gifts as we are just doing our job and we get paid by the Filipino people through our salaries," said Banac.

Suspended operations

Duterte suspended the operations of STL and other numbers games sanctioned by the PCSO because of supposed massive corruption and conspiracy to cheat the government of its rightful share.

Duterte later ordered the resumption of Lotto operations but STL and other numbers games remained suspended.

In his speech Friday evening, Duterte said he is still thinking about allowing STL to operate again, saying he cannot just close it down because it may create a vacuum for illegal drugs.

"Pag-isipan ko muna 'yang STL but Lotto can... I gave the green light, I said sige (Let me think about STL. But for Lotto, they can resume already)," he said.

"If you can assure me that there will be no corruption, maybe I will consider. But if I'm not satisfied and if the bad guys are still there to manipulate the game, I will not allow it. I'm sorry," he added.

New committee under OP

Duterte said that as much as he hates gambling, he cannot close all gambling operations down because it is allowed by law. He said the government can only do as much as regulate them.

"Gambling, per se, is not good. But if it is allowed by law, then I cannot be more popish than the Pope. May batas, eh. Ang hihingi ko lang (There's a law that allows it. All I ask is), do not shortchange government. Talagang mawawala 'yan altogether (Or you will all be gone)," he said.

The President said he is looking into creating a new committee under the Office of the President (OP) that will ensure that the government is not cheated of its shares from numbers games.

Legal business

The President Duterte also said that aside from owning numbers games franchises, policemen and soldiers can also do other legal business as long as they do not use their office to pressure the competition.

In his speech, Duterte said there is no problem if policemen are friends with millionaires who can finance their corporation as long as they do not use their influence.

"If you have friends who are millionaires and would finance a corporation, I do not see any reason why you should not be in that business," he said.

No cheating

"Ang hinihingi ko lang naman is walang gapangan (All I ask is there should be no cheating) and no oppression or pressure," he added.

"Do not oppress your competitors as they will shout foul and then you will drag me into the picture," he continued.

To avoid this, Duterte urged cops should request to be transferred elsewhere where they cannot influence their business.

"But as part of your honor, delicadeza, ask yourself to be assigned somewhere where you are not operating, or a participant, or an incorporator of a corporation doing business in your area," he said.

"Pangit kasi tignan na ikaw ang chief of police diyan (It doesn't look good if you are the chief of police there and you have a business), it's operating. Look for somewhere else, the Philippines is too big," he added.

The President then reminded cops to only engage in legal business and to not try to cheat the government.

Neighborhood gambling pastime

In the same occasion, President Duterte suggested that policemen leave small-time “neighborhood pastimes,” like the illegal numbers game, alone as these keep money circulating in the community.

The police should just focus on addressing the drug problem rather than deal with people engaged in what he called were neighborhood pastimes, he said. (With a report from Aaron Recuenco)