Rid Manila of ‘jueteng,’ Estrada urged

Manila mayor, Joseph Estrada file photo

Antigambling crusader Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz on Wednesday said he hoped former President Joseph Estrada would also include “jueteng” or the illegal numbers game in the list of crimes that he vowed to combat as Manila mayor.

Cruz noted that during then Mayor Alfredo Lim’s term, juetent was not as “extensive” or “flagrant” although it continued to victimize the poor. “But under Mayor Estrada, I don’t know how it would be,” the prelate said.

“I only hope and pray that he would really put his foot down on jueteng primarily because it’s illegal,” he added.

In 2007, Estrada was found guilty of plunder for receiving P545 million worth of proceeds from the illegal numbers game. He was later pardoned by his successor, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

On Monday, the new Manila mayor marked his first day in office with a symbolic drive to get rid of not only garbage but criminals and corruption in the city as well. He said fighting corruption would be the centerpiece of his administration.

Cruz said Estrada must prioritize eradicating jueteng in the city if he would like to be better compared to his predecessor. He added that the illegal numbers game was a form of corruption operated by gambling lords who milked the poor but were under the protection of some politicians.

“In fact, it is on record that there was more vote buying during the last elections and a lot of money came from jueteng lords,” he pointed out. “So these winning candidates whom they supported with jueteng money will become their protectors.”

The prelate also said Estrada should get rid of other illegal activities, including “video karera.”

But he was quick to add that it would not come as a surprise to him should Estrada not make the fight against jueteng a priority. “Neither has President Aquino, so what’s new?” said Cruz.