‘Better for jueteng lords to operate STL’

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte’s plan to meet with jueteng operators is a step in the right direction, according to an administration lawmaker. 

Ako-Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe said he agrees with the President’s plan, adding that he believes Duterte would ask jueteng operators to shift to small-town lottery (STL). 

Duterte had earlier said alternative livelihood should be provided to jueteng operators as they might resort to the illegal drug trade if jueteng is stopped.

In an interview on dzBB, Batocabe, however, expressed concern that some STL operators are also involved in jueteng.

He said the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office should tap jueteng operators and rescind the contracts of STL operators who have been shortchanging the government. 

Batocabe said revenues generated from STL operations have increased under the Duterte administration despite reports that some operators failed to remit their monthly quotas totaling P12 billion.