Misor board kills Actub motion to ask PCSO to suspend Suertres operations

By SHIELA MAE BUTLIG
Correspondent

A PROVINCIAL board member on Monday gave this “solution” to the problem on illegal gambling: stop the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s “Suertres” lotto operations for at least one year.

Boris Olivier Actub proposed that Misamis Oriental board pass a resolution to officially request PCSO to suspend its Suertres operations which, he said, is a remedy to stop the prolificacy of illegal number games in the country, especially in northern Mindanao.

But Actub’s motion was immediately killed by the provincial board–not one member seconded it.

Actub said it was the third time for his colleagues to reject his proposed resolution. He admitted that his proposal was like “shooting for the stars.”

Actub also called on the PCSO to investigate into allegations that people in government, including local officials and police officers, have long been serving as protectors of illegal gambling operators.

Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano said the illegal Suertres operations in the province made legitimate lotto revenues drop from P1 million to P750 thousand a day.

Eddie Go, vice president of organize lotto agents, told local radio that the capitol has shown no significant action to address their problem.

“Ang paggamay sa kita sa mga lotto outlets tungod sa illegal gambling,” said Go.

He said what was needed was a “Tokhang”-like campaign against illegal gambling operations in the province.

Emano said he would create a task force to go after those behind the illegal gambling operations.

“Dako kini nga problema nga ngkagamay na ang halin sa atong PCSO lotto outlets nga kanhi P1 million ang halin sa isa ka adlaw diri nga nahimong P250,000 na lang karon,” Emano said.