Moreno, 6 Manila councilors ask DOJ to junk gambling raps against them

VICE Mayor Isko Moreno fingerprinted by police after being arrested for  allegedly sponsoring a bingo game. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines—Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno (real name Francisco Domagoso) and other members of the City Council on Tuesday asked the Department of Justice to dismiss the complaint filed against them for allegedly engaging in “illegal gambling” by sponsoring a bingo game last February.

Appearing before the DOJ, Moreno said the complaint against him and six others was nothing but a trumped-up case intended to harass them because they belong to the opposition political party. Moreno and the other councilors ran under the ticket of former President Joseph Estrada in the May 13 elections.

Aside from Moreno, facing a case for illegal gambling, direct assault, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice and violation of Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, are Joel Chua, Ernesto Isip Jr., John Marvin Nieto, Ma. Asuncion Fugoso, all current members of the city council, and Manuel Zarcal, former member of the city council.

In their counter-affidavit, they maintained that one element in illegal gambling case poised against them was missing—the element of wager.

“No wager was involved in the bingo game that we sponsored, it was purely done as a form of ‘parlor game’ for entertainment purposes without any cost to our constituents and that the bingo card was given for free,” their counter affidavit stated.

They also claimed that the bingo event held on February 16 in Blumentritt was done at a private compound with permission from the owner.

“There is no law that requires anyone to obtain permit from the local government unit if the bingo game was intended purely for entertainment purposes especially when being done in a private and gated compound,” they said.

Moreno also pointed out that his group was not read their Miranda rights at the time of their arrest up to the time they were brought to police precinct 3.

Moreno had filed a formal complaint against the policemen who stopped the bingo game and arrested his group before the National Police Commission (Napolcom).