There are no less than some thirty two (32) different forms of illegal gambling
in the Philippines – from “Alpor” to “Video Karera.” Furthermore, there are
also more than seventeen modalities (17) of the called legal gambling in the country
– from Bacarat to Slot Machines. The said gambling varieties are directly under
the operation and management of the so-called “Gambling Lords” for illegal
gambling plus the PCSO and the PAGCOR for legal gambling – noting that the
latter two downright gambling entities are both official government
corporations now directly operating under the authority of no less than the
Malacañang chief occupant. What is the difference between the past and present
administration?
In addition thereto, there is the now on-going and
forthcoming big and expensive, impressive and luxurious “Las Vegas of the
Philippines” being built and funded by “official” local and foreign gambling
corporations – with PAGCOR as the leading and brokering agency, as the lead
government gambling corporate entity behind the project. This is why the said
forthcoming center of official gambling has the official backing of no less
than the present administration. The truth is that as of now, there is nothing
that can stop the emerging world class gambling den – with or without the
camouflage of hotels, entertainment places and shopping stores. Where is the
professed honor and integrity of the present government?
It is whistling in the dark to say that such many and
different official and unofficial gambling operations are either managed by
personalities with clean hands or patronized by saintly individuals. The
reality is that big gambling – be it legal or illegal – usually and mainly has
the following suspicious clientele, to mention but a few: Syndicates. Mobs.
Gangsters. Addicts. Hoodlums. This is not to mention money launderers and other
suspicious characters with shady ventures immersed in really big gambling
syndicates. Furthermore it is but a cloud-9 claim that gambling specially when
legal and wherefore official, is not accompanied by prostitution, drug peddling
and other vicious activities – such as profiteering money lenders with
obnoxious interests and the like. The so-called “professional” gambling enters
the realm of the litany of vices. In other words, it is a vicious venture
with vicious ways and ends. Where is the “Matuwid Na Daan” going?
Thus stand the features, implications and consequences of a
gambling economy. This leads to a distorted value system, an errant ethical
standard, an amoral way of living – productive of broken lives, broken
families, broken legitimate national pride. A gambling economy is both a big
shame and a big liability to people. It tramples upon the imperative of
industry – by cultivating instead the cult of indolence and the mentality of
luck. And the Philippines owes all these to the present administration.
