ROXAS BACKS PANLILIO'S FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL GAMBLING

Whether it's the vibrancy of jueteng in Pampanga or Bicolandia, or the proliferation of ponzi schemes in the country, there is one common denominator behind all of these: the Arroyo Government's coddling or otherwise soft (ningas-cogon) attitude towards it.

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today said this, as he expressed his support to Pampanga Governor Eduardo "Among Ed" Panlilio in his lonely fight against jueteng and other illicit activities that continue to abound, ironically, in the President's own hometown.

"Mahalaga ang tuwid na pamamahala. Mahalaga na ang poder ay ginagamit para sa kapakanan ng nakararami, hindi sa wisyo ng iilan (Good governance is important. It's important to use power for the benefit of the people and not for the pleasure of the few)," he stressed.

"Akala ng gobyernong Arroyo, madadala tayo sa ningas-cogon nitong kilos laban sa mga jueteng operator (The Arroyo government thinks we'll be duped into believing they are sincere in fighting jueteng operators)," Roxas said.

"Ang kailangan natin ngayon, hindi isang ningas-cogon na gobyerno kundi isang Among Ed na kahit mag-isa ay lalabanan kahit sinong sanggano sa poder para ipagtanggol ang kapakanan ng kanyang mga kababayan. Among Ed, kasangga mo ako sa laban mong ito (What we need now is not a grassfire government but the likes of Among Ed who will put up a fight against scalawags in power to protect his fellow Kapampangans. Among Ed, I'm with you in this fight)," he stressed.

The Ilonggo senator said the unashamed operation of "jueteng" in Pampanga, as exposed by Panlilio, and in other parts of the country has encouraged gambling lords, operators and other racketeers and schemers to branch out to other "businesses" that seek to deceive the public.

He said testimonies during the impeachment hearing of former President Joseph Estrada indicate De Los Angeles was among the "jueteng" lords who allegedly paid monthly payolas to government officials for the continued operations of his "business."

"Magkamag-anak itong jueteng at mga raket tulad ng mga pre-need plan at double-your-money scheme ng Legacy ni Celso de los Angeles. Lumalaganap ang mga ito dahil pabaya ang gobyerno. (Jueteng and other rackets, like the unfunded pre-need plans and double-your-money schemes of Celso de los Angeles' Legacy, are relatives. These proliferate with the willful and conscious negligence of the government)," he stressed.

"Uungkatin natin ang kaugnayan nitong jueteng operations diumano ni de los Angeles sa kanyang mga negosyo. Mananagot ang dapat managot. (We'll explore the connection between de los Angeles' alleged jueteng operations with his businesses. There will be accountability, there will be justice)," he said.

Roxas is chairman of the Senate trade and commerce committee looking into reports the pre-need industry is on the brink of collapse due to failure of government regulators to control financial bleeding of pre-need companies, among them the Legacy Group of companies owned by De Los Angeles.