CHAVIT IS LAYING LOW ON JUETENG

BUT BONG P. IS EXPANDING OPN’S

Self-confessed  gambling lord  and former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit”  Singson has apparently realized that “jueteng” is already too hot to handle that he has decided to lay low from this multi-million illegal enterprise. However, Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda, who is President Arroyo’s “kumpare” is still very much around, expanding further his illegal gambling empire.

            This was revealed today by House Assistant Minority Floor Leader and Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla as he asked the House leadership to expedite his proposed measure which would give more teeth to existing laws against illegal gambling, particularly Presidential Decree 1602.

            Remulla said that based on field reports and latest intelligence reports culled from the Philippine National Police (PNP), it appears that Singson is has gone inactive in “jueteng” operations that the illegal numbers game has suddenly become scarce even in Ilocos Sur province which used to be his turf.

            However, his brother  Bonito is reportedly taking charge of the jueteng operations in Ilocos Norte earning a gross of at least P2 Million daily.

            On the other hand, Remulla said that based on reports he gathered, Pineda is reportedly expanding his operations and is now the undisputed  “jueteng” kingpin in Luzon, pocketing at least  P 15.6 Million daily.

            But what  is really frustrating, Remulla said, is the fact that even Cavite was not spared by Pineda and his gang of “jueteng” lords. He said Pineda is also operating Laguna which is the home of Department of Interior and Local Government Seceretary Joey Lina.        

             “ It is really  disappointing. As much as we want to keep Cavite and other parts of the country jueteng free, it seems that the country’s gambling lords like Bong Pineda aren’t afraid of our existing anti-gambling laws. Masyadong malambot ang batas natin,” Remulla said.

            “ In Cavite alone, arrests are made almost every day but they could easily afford to post bail. And even if people like Pineda are convicted, they could easily afford the penalties,” Remulla added.

              Under Remulla’s proposed measure (House Bill 1581),  a maintainer of any form of illegal gambling “ shall be punished by imprisonment of ten (10) years and a fine not less than one million pesos (P1,000,000).” Bookies and illegal gambling personnel on the other hand can be slapped with five years imprisonment  and a fine not less than P100,000 but not more than P500,000.

              Under  existing anti-gambling laws particularly  PD 1602, the maximum penalty is only prison mayor in its medium term ( 6  to 12 years) or a fine of only P,6000.

              “ Under the old law, people who are convicted for violation of PD1602 can have the option to just pay the fine and go back to business as usual. People like Pineda are raking in millions everyday so P6,000 as a fine is really chicken feed ,” Remulla said.

               “ In my proposal, there is no such option. Violators will have to spend time in jail and pay the fine  which was dramatically increased from the original fine of P200 to P6,000  to P100,000 to P1 million,” Remulla explained.