The Legalization of jueteng

• Main Authors: Escolar, Christian Mari S., Yu, Stephanie Erin
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2005
• Subjects: Law
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/11522
• Institution: De La Salle University

The issue of whether or nor jueteng operations should be legalized had been with us since time immemorial. Our lawmakers are again in an inquiry in aid of legislation for the legalization of jueteng. This is due to House Bill 1656 authored by Mountain Province Representative Victor S. Dominguez. The same is presented before the House Committee on Public Order and Security. The bill seeks to legalize the illegal numbers game of jueteng because if it is to be legalized, it can be regulated better and revenues which go to unrespectable purposes will instead be funneled to social services such as education and health. As expected, plans of legalizing jueteng have been met with great opposition. Different issues have to be addressed. First, whether or not jueteng should be legalized because providing otherwise is contrary to the natural psychological make up of the Filipinos. And secondly, whether or not jueteng should be legalized because providing otherwise no longer conforms with contemporary community standards. This paper is for the legalization of jueteng. Jueteng should be legalized although most religious leaders disapprove of it because it has already became deeply ingrained in the Filipino way of life. Revenues generated from Jueteng operations can be tapped to fund government projects. It should also be legalizaed because providing otherwise would be in violation of the Equal Protection clause of the Constitution. And when legalized, jueteng operations can be vested under the authority, regulation and administration of PAGCOR. Jueteng should be legalized because this would be a surefire formula for stopping the widespread corruption engendered by jueteng. This would dismantle the corruption that its illegal operation breeds. Legalizing jueteng would also generate more revenue for the government. This would benefit communities wih more projects for infrastructure and socio-civic projects. Its legalization under a credible agency that is mandated to support social programs such as health, education and welfare can succeed. For as long as other forms of gambling are allowed by law, such as cockfights, casinos, lotteries and bingo, then there is no reason why jueting should be singled out. Jueteng is blood money, so it must go back tot he people. It's the milking cow of politicos and policemen. Legalizing jueteng would eliminate one of the major sources of corruption of our government officials.