‘Jueteng’ back as election nears - prelate

MANILA, Philippines - The illegal numbers game jueteng is again gaining strength as the 2010 election draws closer, an anti-gambling bishop lamented.

Lingayen-Dagupan archbishop Oscar Cruz admitted their movement is fast becoming helpless against the numbers game even in his home province of Pangasinan.

"Palapit ang election, palakas ang jueteng. Doon sa aming probinsya wala akong magawa, sa ibang probinsya pa," Cruz told radio dzBB in an interview.

("The elections are drawing closer, and jueteng is getting more rampant. If I cannot do anything about it in my home province, what more in other provinces.")

Cruz heads the Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng (KBLJ) and Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Sugal (KBLS), which seek to eradicate all forms of gambling, including legalized ones.

Cruz, a vocal critic of Malacañang, said jueteng operations usually intensify as elections draw nearer, as the proceeds go to campaign kitties of candidates who protect jueteng operators once they win.

"Natatalo kami, lalo na lumalapit ang election natatalo talaga (We find ourselves in a losing battle especially when the election draws closer)," Cruz said. gmanews.tv