On Lotto Outlet Operation

WE are glad to note that President Rodrigo R. Duterte has ordered the lifting of the ban on the operation of lotto after having determined that no corruption existS at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Earlier the President, having received reports that the office is graft-ridden, ordered the closure of all its outlets in the whole country. Negative re-actions to the presidential directive proliferated foremost of whom is Senator Risa Hontiveros’ who said and I quote: “I am worried that the President is setting a double standard: being heavy handed against selected local licensed gambling operators such as the PCSO on the one hand, but lax and permissive towards Chinese online gambling and jueteng.” But the all-important and deep concern over the closure is the thousands of workers who would have been displaced from work. As correctly noted by one observer: “If each outlet has an average three employees, with more than 30,000 franchise stations closed, we are looking at a minimum of 120,000 displaced workers.” TV reports show that many lotto outlet operators expressed elation over the presidential order lifting the closure of these lotto outlets. These are small time operators who depend on their daily subsistence out of their meager income as lotto outlet licensee.

The TV and print media reports that the Department of Foreign Affairs has filed a diplomatic protest with the UNCLOS over the reported swarming of Chinese fishing vessels (or are they military vessels) near the West Philippines should be commended. This is long overdue. This should have been done when a Chinese vessel rammed the Filipino fishing vessel months back. Filing a diplomatic protest against China is not necessarily going to war. This time the Philippines is going to the right direction over the disputed straights.

TRIVIA:

We wish to express through this column my most sincere condolences and that of my spouse Minda to the family of the late former RTC Judge Pablo Paqueo who recently passed away after a lingering illness. His remains lie in state at the Eternal Gardens Chapel where a chaplet will be held Thursday evening at 6:00 pm by the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree Assembly. Likewise, let me express my deepest condolences to the family of Sir Knight Roberto V. De Asis. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus,4th Degree Assembly during his life-time. He also served as City Councilor of Naga years back. His internment was held last Tuesday.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: “FRIENDSHIP IMPROVES HAPPINESS, AND ABETS MISERY, BY DOUBLING OUR JOY, AND DIVIDING OUR GRIEF.” ADDISON

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE: “PRAISE THE LORD, MY SOUL, I SHALL SHALL PRAISE THE LORD ALL MY LIFE.” PSALM 146:2