By Francis Allan L. Angelo
EVEN the top steward of legalized gambling in Western Visayas is uncertain as to how much Small Town Lottery (STL) operators actually earn daily but she has the net income figures on a daily basis.
Jeanette T. Oberio, regional manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), almost stammered when Board Member Demetrio Sonza peppered her questions on the earnings of STL in Iloilo City.
The PCSO regulates and supervises legalized gambling such as lotto, sweepstakes and STL.
Sonza, a staunch opponent of STL operations in Iloilo province, premised his question on the communication he received from the office of Councilor Lyndon Acap, chairman of the committee on amusement, games and professional sports of the City council.
Acap, who was invited but failed to attend the public hearing on the proposed STL operations at the Iloilo provincial board Thursday, said Iloilo City received P8.9 million in 2009 as its share from the legalized numbers game.
Under PCSO guidelines on STL operations, the local government unit is entitled to 10% share of the franchise-holder’s monthly income.
Sonza said Iloilo STL Gaming Corp. (ISTLGC), the franchise holder in the city, must be earning more or less P89 million a year, thus the P8.9-million share of the City government.
Sonza then clarified with Oberio how much does the operator will earn from bets per draw.
Oberio said the operator will net P500,000 per draw. Since ISTLGC holds two draws per day, the operator actually earns P1 million per day.
Sonza then reckoned that ISTLGC should be earning P365 million a year and the City Government’s share should be more than P8 million a year.
Sonza said how sure is PCSO that the operator remits the exact share of LGUs, the police and other sectors.
Oberio said the PCSO national office has the exact figures on the daily income and sharing of local governments.
“I am sorry. Regarding the amount, that is (reported) direct to the office national (sic). Hindi kami nakikialam. It is the operator that submits the report to the national office,” Oberio said.
Despite the grilling in the hands of Sonza, Oberio regained her composure and pleaded with the provincial board to allow STL to operate in Iloilo province as it will benefit the poor in the municipalities.
Oberio said STL income contributes to endowment funds in hospitals that are given to indigent patients.
Municipal mayors and their constituents can also benefit from STL through their shares from the operators.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan is currently deliberating on the proposal of Around D’World Gaming Corp. to operate STL in the province.
On Thursday, pro-STL mayors were given the chance to defend the legalized numbers game which they see as an added income to their respective towns.
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