Aquino Told to Scrap State Gambling Firm

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz has appealed to incoming President Benigno Aquino III to abolish the state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

Since gambling is synonymous with corruption, Archbishop Cruz said, the company is also identified with corruption.

"On bended knees I ask the incoming administration to get rid of Pagcor, especially as a government corporation," Cruz said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference news site.

"All the money that Pagcor earns comes from the pockets of people," Archbishop Cruz was quoted as saying.

"Gambling capitalists" never lose because the odds are always against the gamblers, he added.

Archbishop Cruz also asked Pagcor officials to follow the lead of their chairman, Efraim Genuino, who "retired early" to give the new administration a free hand to choose a replacement.

"Just imagine how you present yourself to your children. How could you be proud of that?" Archbishop Cruz asked.

He said the gambling firm had failed and did not generate wealth for the country.

Archbishop Cruz, a former president of the country's Catholic Bishops' Conference, is the founder of the People's Movement Against Jueteng and the People's Movement Against Gambling.

Earlier, seven bishops led by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas called on Aquino to reject gambling and stop the opening of more casinos.

In a pastoral letter issued early this week, the bishops said that gambling is not in the country's best interests.

They urged Aquino to provide alternatives to boost the economy without negative social and moral consequences. (UCAN)