Closure of jai alai fronton to kill masiao, solon says

The government’s closure of the jai alai fronton in Malate, Manila may stop masiao operations in the Visayas and Mindanao, a congressman said yesterday.

Agusan del Norte Rep. Roan Libarios told reporters yesterday the three-digit "winning combination" in masiao is based on the winning numbers in the jai alai games held everyday at the Manila fronton.

"Now masiao racketeers have no games on which to base their daily winning combinations," he said.

Libarios said masiao became widespread after the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) revived the "game of a thousand thrills" last year.

Before the revival of jai alai, betting in masiao was limited to once a week as the winning numbers were based on the three digits of the weekly sweepstakes draw, he added.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo Lim padlocked the jai alai fronton along Harrison street in Malate last Friday on orders of President Estrada.

Lim said over the radio-TV program "JEEP ni Erap: Ang Pasada ng Pangulo" last Saturday that he has ordered Metro Manila police commander Director Edgar Aglipay to close down all jai alai off-fronton betting stations and on-line bingo games being operated by Pagcor.

On Lim’s orders, policemen headed by Senior Superintendents Bon Franco and Nelson Yabut had also padlocked the on-line bingo facilities at Tutuban shopping mall in Divisoria, Manila.

President Estrada has ordered Pagcor to coordinate with the police in implementing within 48 hours his directive that the gambling agency shut down all its facilities and outlets for jai alai, on-line bingo, and internet casino gaming.

Last Oct. 14, the Chief Executive, announced the government’s total pullout from all gambling operations, including games being run by Pagcor.

Mr. Estrada said the government would take the necessary steps to privatize the remaining operations of Pagcor.

Meawnwhile, Charito "Charing" Magbuhos, the alleged "jueteng queen of Southern Luzon" accused a number of Catholic Church leaders in the region yesterday of receiving money from illegal gambling operators.

"How can they claim moral ascendancy to denounce President Estrada for allegedly receiving money from jueteng operators when they themselves are tainted?" she asked.