Gov. Espino denies involvement in jueteng
Gov. Amado Espino, Jr. denied allegations by a municipal mayor that he is involve in the operation of jueteng, an illegal numbers game, in Pangasinan.
Espino said the reason could be "all realted to politics" since he was running for his re-election bid for a final term in this province. The municipal mayor of Bugallon Ric Orduna reportedly filed a plunder case against the governor in the office Ombudsman alleging that Espino received millions from jueteng payola. Orduna admitted before the national media that he was operator of the illegal numbers game along with a certain Boy Bata.
Espino said jueteng no longer exist in Pangasinan since the so-called another form of gambling "jai-alai" which has a permit from the local government is now being operated.
Espino said it was the local chief executives of various towns who has the power to issue business operations. The governor said he could not issue business permit, therefore he could not demand for anything as alleged by Orduna.
Officer-in-Charge Provincial Director Sonny Versoza, who was the regional intelligence officer before he was assigned in Pangasinan said, that based on intelligence data Espino's name never appeared as among the jueteng personalities.
When asked if Orduna, a self-confessed jueteng lord, name was in the list as among the jueteng operator in Pangasinan, the provincial director hesitated to answer saying that he will have to double check his record. (Reported by Jim Manaois)