"gambling promotes corruption and intellectual bankruptcy"

Church Bucks Iloilo Gaming Facility
By TARA YAP

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines – The Roman Catholic Church has once again strongly expressed its opposition to gambling, particularly the operation of an e-casino in Iloilo City.
“Gambling destroys our moral values,” said Msgr. Meliton Oso, chairman of the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center (JASAC).

Oso reiterated the Church’s stand even as e-casino JD Feeling Lucky Inc. continues to operate at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center. The latter opened the gambling facility last month.

“Gambling promotes corruption and intellectual bankruptcy,” Oso emphasized.

Oso, emphasizing that “gambling promotes corruption and intellectual bankruptcy,” cited the 1993 pastoral letter entitled “Make a New Heart and a New Spirit” of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) condemning all forms of gambling and urging for a moral transformation.

The outspoken priest also expressed concern in the proximity of the e-casino to the UP Visayas city campus.

The e-casino faced controversy last year after it was reported to have been temporarily operating without the knowledge of Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

Jeffrey Celiz, Mabilog’s political liaison officer, reiterated the clarification that the e-casino has a permanent franchise from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) and a business permit from the city government since December 15, 2011.

He said it also has proper zoning clearances.

The e-casino is owned by Jeffrey Divinagracia, a nephew of Association of Barangay Captains (ABC-Iloilo) president and Iloilo City Council ex-officio member Roberto “Bobby” Divinagracia.
Meanwhile, Oso warned the casino management that any lobbying with the religious sector is futile.