SMALL TOWN LOTTERY. The Victoria Development and Ventures Corp.’s office in Tacloban City. The operator on Thursday (March 4, 2021) asked the police to stop the illegal numbers game in Leyte, citing lost revenues and uncollected taxes. (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)
TACLOBAN CITY – An authorized operator of a small town lottery (STL) in Leyte has asked the police to stop the illegal numbers game in the province, citing lost revenues and uncollected taxes.
Renan Lagado, operations manager of the Victoria Development and Ventures Corp. (VDVC), said on Thursday their income has dropped by 75 percent since they resumed operations two weeks ago due to the existence of the illegal numbers game.
“Of the 23 towns in Leyte where we resumed our business operations, only six towns have no unauthorized games,” Lagado said in a press briefing.
He said their monthly revenue has declined from PHP40 million in 2019 to only PHP10 million this year.
The VDVC is specifically concerned about the illegal “Peryahan ng Bayan” even after a directive of President Rodrigo Duterte that suspended its operations in July 2019.
The operator also cited a memorandum of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea stating that the resumption of the operation of the “Peryahan ng Bayan” does not bear the approval of the President.
On Feb. 5, 2020, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma announced that the numbers game is suspended until further instructions from the Office of the President.
“It is clear that the continued illegal operation of (the) 'Peryahan ng Bayan' was with the blessings of the officials who are supposed to control and apprehend those behind this illegal numbers game,” Lagado added.
Reached for comment, the information office of the Police Regional Office 8 (Eastern Visayas) said they have to relay the VDVC’s concern to regional director Brig. Gen. Ronaldo de Jesus.
Lady Jade Palabon, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) - Leyte manager, said the income loss of legal numbers game operators, such as VDVC, means less budget for charity.
“From PHP75,000 daily budget for charity in Leyte in 2019, it dropped to PHP54,000 a day due to revenue loss,” Palabon said.
The VDVC resumed its STL operations on Feb. 17, 2020, after receiving notice from PCSO. It temporarily closed its outlets in July 2019 after Duterte ordered the stoppage of STL and other government-sanctioned number games due to corruption.
In October 2020, the central government allowed the resumption of STL operations.
In 1987, the government authorized STL operations to compete with illegal operations and collect revenues from the games for the government. (PNA)
