House to resume hearings on questionable STLs

The House committee on games and amusement will resume tomorrow its investigation on allegations that jueteng lords are still operating in the country by using small town lottery (STL) as a front.

Headed by Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, the committee will take up the grievance of Rep. LRay Villafuerte who said the leadership of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) had continued to ignore his complaints.

Villafuerte called for the suspension of local STL operator Evenchance Gaming Corp. after the PCSO was accused of spending lavishly for a Christmas party at a fivestar hotel in Mandaluyong City last year.

“Six million pesos might be considered small change by the PCSO, but not by the rest of us,” he said, referring to the amount spent for the party.

He added that Camarines Sur provincial board and a majority of its towns have passed resolutions asking the PCSO to cancel and revoke the franchise of Evenchance due to various violations to the STL implementing rules and regulations.

Villafuerte, a former governor, said PCSO, which is under the Office of the President, should adopt a two-step approach in helping eradicate illegal gambling nationwide by booting out certain accredited agent corporations that have been using STL as a cover and by taking over these operations.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said the House of Representatives should be allowed to look into ways PCSO could grant franchises for STL operations.