Another gambling outfit?

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon is right: The province does not need another gambling outfit operating in its midst, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office should go somewhere else with its paraphernalia.

A recent development in the province was the announcement by the PCSO that it is setting up the Peryahan Games in Bacolod in what it calls a one-year experimental test-run and has authorized Globaltech Mobile Online Corporation to be its provider, distributor and system supplier.

As a come-on, the PSCO has also dangled the promise of shares from the operation of the game to the local government hosting it.

We are sure Negrenses as well as Bacoleños feel that the they need the Peryahan like the proverbial hole in the head. Already we have the lotto, the sweepstakes, the small-town lottery, to say nothing about the clandestine operation of small-time gambling outfits catering to the gambling streak in people.

Aside from those, there are also the regular cockfighting events where those with the inclination towards games of chance can get their thrills by betting on the fighting cocks. That is without noting the “home type” games like mahjong and even pusoy, where housewives as well, as street boys, indulge their inclination to gambling.

The entry of the peryahan will only mean more hard-earned money from our people finding their way out of the province and city. Will the winnings of a few now and then, compensate for the losses to such mechanically operated games of chance?

Let us hope that the objections from our officials will be heeded by the PSCO, that should realize that there are now more than enough avenues for the gambling crowd in the province and city for them to welcome, or afford, another one.

The people should join the governor in his objection to the entry of this new ploy to siphon out local earnings.*