Erap to legalize 'jueteng' if he wins

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) presidential bet former President Joseph Estrada admitted here last Saturday that his campaign has experienced funding problems, unlike his successful bid in the 1998 elections.

He said he is one of the cash-strapped presidential candidates and his campaign is practically running on donations from numerous supporters “who continue to believe in our mission.”

Estrada also reiterated that he would work for the legalization of the numbers game jueteng if elected president.

“I don’t see the logic of wealthy individuals entering into casinos and poor ones betting in jueteng. Don’t tell me those gambling inside casinos will go to heaven if they die and those betting on jueteng will go to hell,” said Estrada.

Estrada’s group had a series of campaign sorties in Bayombong and Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.

“Our campaign is practically surviving through the help of some friends and supporters,” he said.

He said the warm reception and continued adulation of the people for their team have encouraged him and his party mates to continue the campaign.

“We are conducting a good campaign. The reception of the people in every place where we visited has been very warm. Why should we talk about funding when we should talk about my eventual victory,” Estrada said.

He said that compared to other presidential candidates, his expenses for political advertisements have not yet exceeded the maximum allowable expenses required by the Commission on Elections.

“My rivals have already spent millions of pesos on campaign advertising while we have not spent as much. In fact, I am sixth among all the presidentiables in terms of television campaign expenses,” he said. Estrada said he is not bothered by the recent surveys, where he had been consistently coming out in third place, since what is more important was to find the real reaction of people on the campaign trail.

Based on recent surveys, he said, the campaigns of both senators Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party and Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party were beginning to lose steam, while his campaign was gaining momentum.

Estrada, whose six-year presidency was cut short by so-called People Power II following allegations of receiving jueteng payoffs, said legalizing the numbers game would be an additional source of funds for the government to finance projects, especially programs for the poor.

“I am a former local executive so I should know. Jueteng proceeds are only being enjoyed by mayors, governors and other local government officials, as well as the police. So why not legalize (jueteng) so there would be proper accounting of its proceeds for the government,” he said.

He said legalizing jueteng would extend some dignity for bet collectors and the cabos (chief collectors) who would be working for a government-sanctioned numbers game.

“We have to look after their welfare not only through monetary considerations but extending them dignity to earn a living through legal means without fear of being harassed, apprehended and incarcerated,” he said.

He also criticized the Catholic Church and other so-called moralists for their fierce opposition to the legalization of jueteng when they are silent on other gambling operations like the online lottery.

Erap’s birthday wish

Estrada, who is celebrating his 73^rd birthday today, said his birthday wish is to have a clean and honest election this coming May 10 and for him to win the presidency again.

His birthday celebration will start at in Taytay, Rizal where former San Juan residents were relocated in the community that is now called “Erap City.”

Estrada will have lunch with the poor residents of Payatas in Quezon City.

“The coming elections are so important not only for me as a candidate but for the country as well. The last presidential elections, where my best friend Fernando Poe, Jr. was cheated, really put our democratic systems in question. So this coming elections, we must show that our democracy is not a joke, that we have the capacity to respect the sovereign will of the people expressed through the ballot,” Estrada said.

Estrada urged the Commission on Elections to consider applying poll automation only in select areas.

“It is difficult when you make the entire country your guinea pig. They should only select certain areas because the very presidency is at stake,” Estrada said.

Estrada thanked the Lord for all his blessings in life.

 “I have nothing more to ask. I have already been given everything that I asked for, including my renewed freedom. But my freedom is empty if I cannot use it for the greater good of the Filipino people. That is why I am running and I hope to be able to serve the people as president again,” Estrada said.

Estrada’s running mate Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said his wish for Estrada on his birthday is for him to win the presidency. – With Jose Rodel Clapano