VOICING strong opposition on the attempts of local government of Cagayan de Oro City to legalize small town lottery to curb the illegal numbers game, Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma fiercely denounced the move saying it is not the right solution to stop gambling in the city.
“Systematic, wide-spread and big-time gambling by whatever name or adjective, is still gambling. Whether gambling is legal or illegal, whether it is operated by an individual or by the government, it is still ‘the same dog with a different collar’, Ledesma declared.
The prelate released a strongly-worded statement following the news that majority of the city councilors are to vote for the resolution of legalizing small town lottery in the city.
Ledesma had earlier commended the massive campaign of the local government against gambling following the shooting of a radio broadcaster who accused some police officers as “protectors” and “operators” of illegal gambling in the city.
The accusation led the governor and PNP provincial officials to immediately put a stop on all gambling activities.
But in an apparent change of mind, the city councilors now want to legalize small town lottery, saying it would provide additional income for the city coffers. They also claim that small town lottery has been declared legal by the Supreme Court, hence, they have no power to stop it.
“We are deeply saddened by the news that majority of our city councilors—apparently with the blessings from their superiors—are going to vote affirmatively for the resolution allowing the introduction of another gambling game: the small town lottery (STL),” said Ledesma.
Citing teachings from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the prelate said, “games of chance… become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others.”
“STL will even be worse than the illegal games now because it will effectively and openly encourage even the poor wage earners to gamble and gamble to their own disadvantage—just look at who mainly form the lines of the Lotto now,” the prelate said.
The archbishop pointed out that gambling can be addictive and threatens family stability.
“Addictive gambling shakes the stability of the family! And worse still, STL will effectively make addicts not only of our poor but also out of our children,” he said.
Ledesma took a dig on the alleged “financiers” of gambling, saying that legalizing the game would present a strong temptation for government and police officials to fall deeply into corrupt practices.
“STL will just put a legal mask to the present “financiers” and even corrupt more our city officials and PNP officers,” he said.
The prelate debunked the claim of city officials that money generated from gambling will fund social services.
He expressed fear that the money will only go into the pockets of powerful government officials to fund their favored candidates in 2010 elections.
Ledesma also said gambling is taboo among the Muslims. Legalizing it in the city, where a big percentage of population is Muslim, will be a slap to their belief, said the prelate.
Appealing to their moral sense, Ledesma urged the City and Provincial councils not to allow the culture of gambling to permeate the local society.
“This statement is also our way of reiterating our consistent objection to the putting up of a Casino anywhere in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro (Misamis Oriental and Camiguin), and to the putting up of “slot machines” in any of our hotels and establishments,” Ledesma said.
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