May pinoprotektahan? Proposed ordinance ng video karera nina Pavico at Ciolo

“Lalo pa nga bang pinoprotektahan nina Konsehal Richard Pavico, Abi Yu, Jojo Biglete, Joseph Ciolo at maging ni Vice Mayor Larry Vidal ang iligal na video karera at anumang iligal na sugal sa lungsod na ito, pati na rin ang ilang government officials na hinihinalang sangkot sa mga iligal na gawain sa pagpupumilit na maipasa ang isang ordinansang tumutukoy lamang sa iligal na sugal na ito?

“‘An ordinance prohibiting the operation, manufacture, distribution, sale, possession and playing/betting of video karera and similar game machines within the City of San Pablo and providing penalties for violations thereof.” Ito ang titulo ng nasabing ordinansa na pilit pinalusot sa 2nd reading noong regulsr session ng Konseho ng August 9 at ang nakakatiyak muling babarasuhin ng grupo nina Yu na ganap na nga itong maging lokal na batas sa darating na regular session ng Konseho sa August 16.

Matatandaan na dating hawak ni Konsehal Martin Ilagan ang komitiba ng anti-gambling at kasalukuyan noong nagbabalangkas siya ng kaukulang batas hinggil sa lahat ng klase ng iligal na sugal nang walang kaabog-abog namang buwagin ang lahat ng komitiba ng konseho at kopohin ang lahat ng mga standing committees ng grupo nina Yu.

“’An ordinance prohibiting the operation, maintenance and betting of video karera, fruit game, jueteng, slot machines, and other similar forms of illegal gambling activities within the city of San Pablo, providing penalties for violations therefore and for other purposes.’ Ito ang titulo ng isang ordinansang binabalangkas na nga noon ni Ilagan.

Pavico & Ciolo version

“Ilan sa mga probisyong nakatala na isinusulong nina Pavico at Ciolo ay ang mga sumusunod:

“- Any person of legal age who shall take part in the illegal game of video karera and similar game machines as bettor/player shall be penalized with imprisonment of six (6) months or a fine of Three Thousand Pesos (PhP 3,000.00), or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

“- Any person who operates, manufacures, sells or distribute video karera machines in his premises or is found in possession of the same within the terrirorial jurisdiction of the City of San Pablo shall be penalized and imprisoned for a period of one (1) year or a fine of five thousand pesos (Php 5,000.00), or both.

“- Any minor who shall take part in the illegal game of video karera and similar game machines as bettor/player shall be penalized of Two Hundred Pesos (PhP 200.00) and will be required to attend two (2) consecutive DSWD counseling with his/her parent or guardian.

Ilagan version

“Maigting na isinusulong naman ni Ilagan ang mga sumusunod:

“- It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, maintain, engage, take part and participate in any manner in any form of illegal gambling activities like Video karera, Fruit Game, Color Game, Beto-beto, Jueteng, Cara y Cruz or pompiang and the like, Black Jack, Lucky Nine, Russian Poker or ‘Pusoy’, Monte, Baccarat and other card games and other similar or related gambling activities as enumerated in Presidential Decree No. 1602.

“- Any government employee or public official, whether elected or appointed, who acts as collector, agent, coordinator, controller, supervisor, maintainer, manager, operator, financier or capitalist of any illegal gambling activity as defined in this ordinace, shall upon conviction suffer the penalties provided in Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9287. Any Barangay official in whose jurisdiction such illegal gambling activities herein defined are conducted or such gambling house is found and which house has the reputation of a gambling place shall be subject to penalties imposed under this section.

“- Any person who knowingly or unknowingly violates any provision of this ordinance shall suffer the following penalties:

“For bettors: 1st Offense – Fine of PhP 500.00 to PhP 1,000.00 and 4 hours of community service; 2nd Offense – Fine of PhP 1,000.00 to PhP 2,000.00 and 4 hours of community service; 3rd Offense – Fine of PhP 3,000.00 to PhP 5,000.00 and 4 hours of community service; 4th and Subsequent Offenses – The penalties imposed in Section 3(a) to (g) of RA No. 9287 shall be applied, provided that operators, maintainers, managers, employees and staff of illegal gambling activities as defined in this ordinance shall suffer the maximum penalties imposed under RA No. 9287.

“- Parent, Guardian or persons exercising authority over a minor offender under this ordinance shall imposed the following penalties: 1st Offense – Official reprimand; 2nd Offense – 4 hours community service; 3rd Offense – Fine of PhP 3,000.00 plus community service. The penalty provided in Section 6 of RA No. 9287, that is, imprisonment from six (6) months to one (1) day to one (1) year or fine ranging from One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 100,000.00) to Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 400,000.00) shall be imposed upon any parent, guardian or person exercising authority or ascendancy over a minor, ward or incapacitated person who repeatedly violate any provision of this ordinace.

Mga tanong nina Pablo’y sa pagkukumpara ng Pavico-Ciolo version vs. Ilagan version

“Bakit nakatutok lamang sa video karera ang gustong ipapasa nina Pavico & Ciolo gayong talamak sa lungsod ang iba pang uri ng sugal? Bulag ba sina Pavico & Ciolo upang hindi nila makita na sa ilang terminal ng tricycle ay may nagtotong-its, cara’y cruz, atbpng uri ng sugal?

“Bakit wala sa panukala nina Pavico & Ciolo ang hinggil sa pagkaka-sangkot naman ng mga taong gobyerno sa lahat ng klase ng iligal na sugal? Kung ayaw ng mayor, walang jueteng. Ito daw ang rules of thumb. Samakatuwid, kung patuloy ang jueteng, video karera, atbpng sugal, nangangahulugang payag si mayor?

“Tumutukoy lamang sa alinmang number games, partikular sa jueteng, ang Republic Act No. 9287 na pinagbatayan naman ng bigat ng pena ng naudlot na proposed ordinance ni Ilagan. Angkop nga kaya ang ilang probisyon doon sa VK, fruit games, card games, atbp.? Hindi kaya sobra o kulang pa ang ilang probisyon doon para nga sa VK, fruit games, card games, atbp.?”

At kaya pala naman ganoong kalamya ang ordinansang iyon ay dahil sa…