Opinion

Mayor Jerry with Pampanga mayors uniting versus jueteng.

In a resolution signed last week, the Pampanga mayors have declared support for the campaign against the illegal number game, jueteng. Pampanga was identified among the provinces where jueteng has thrived.

Mayor Jerry discusses jueteng with Senator Lacson and Justice Sec. Gonzales in ANC's Dong Puno's Viewpoint.

While there are still those who remain skeptical on the action of the Pampanga Mayors League, the latter's move opens another opportunity to finally resolve the issue on jueteng.

What used to be a poor man's lottery has become a multi-billion monster that has started to destroy the moral fiber of society and threaten the very stability of the state as it becomes more and more involved in corrupting people in government and influencing politics in the country.

The effective campaign against jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling has to start somewhere with conviction. There must be that strong political will to finally say "no" to them, from the Presidency down to the barangay. Other sectors of society, especially the church, must provide support in various ways.

Mayor Jerry joins GMA-7's Debate : "Can we stop jueteng?"

Jueteng employs hundreds of thousands of poor people. Because jueteng remains illegal we have to stop it, but we have to do something to help those who have become dependent on it due to poverty and lack of job opportunities.

Again the proposal to legalize jueteng has surfaced. There are specific suggestions that the authority to regulate jueteng be given to the local government units. This must be seriously considered by our lawmakers.

Meanwhile, while jueteng remains illegal all sectors must work together not only to stop the operation of jueteng but also to help the poor who will be displaced.

The first thing to do is to boldly meet the challenges that the bigger face of jueteng poises : poverty and lack of opportunities to earn.