What Went Before

In May 2005, the Senate began a formal inquiry into allegations that then First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo and his son, then Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, had received protection money from “jueteng” operators.

Senator Panfilo Lacson initiated the joint inquiry of the Senate committees on games, amusement and sports, and on public order and illegal drugs into the illegal numbers racket.

Lacson named then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s husband and their son as alleged recipients of jueteng money, but he refrained from linking her directly to the scandal.

Sandra Cam, one of the whistle-blowers at the Senate inquiry, said that Mikey Arroyo and his uncle, Representative Ignacio Arroyo, had been receiving protection money.

Cam also claimed that the then Bicol police director, Chief Superintendent Restituto Mosqueda, had instructed her to deliver the payoffs to the Arroyos. The Arroyos and Mosqueda denied Cam’s allegations.

The inquiry was called “in aid of legislation” purportedly to eradicate this form of illegal gambling. But after nine highly publicized hearings, the committees failed to come up with a report or recommendation. The 13th Congress ended with the issue still pending before the committees.