Philippine leader to end govt gambling

Philippine leader to end govt gambling
ASSOCIATED FRANCE PRESSE

OCT 14: Philippine President Joseph Estrada announced the government's withdrawal from all gambling Saturday in his latest attempt to quells calls for his impeachment.

In a statement aired on radio and television, Estrada again denied he received bribes from bosses of illegal gambling rackets. He added he was abolishing government-approved online gaming as well as a planned town lottery system, and promised to privatise government-run casinos. "The people do not want the government to be involved in gambling. The message is clear," Estrada said.

"We will stop all forms of gambling under the government." Estrada said the measure was the first in a series of reforms he was announcing to put an end to the furore that has raged for more than a week over allegations by a former friend that the President received huge pay-offs from organisers of illegal games of chance. "We are taking steps to end this scandal and we are determined to pursue them," Estrada said.

"My conscience is clear," he added. "I am ready to face those who are attacking me. Let them bring their evidence to Congress. I am certain the truth will come out. "I was wrong in thinking we could change the culture of gambling and the role of the government. I was also wrong in choosing my friends."

He hinted the scandal was instigated by illegal gambling interests hurt by the legal alternatives offered by government-approved gambling. "We wanted the government instead of the corrupt to earn revenues. Those who were affected by this decision became angry, so now they are carrying out all sorts of schemes," Estrada claimed.

The scandal broke last week when a former friend of Estrada, provincial governor Luis Singson, said he had handed over huge pay-offs from illegal gambling lords to the President and other relatives and friends of the President. Singson reiterated his accusations at hearings in both houses of Congress, raising pressure on Estrada to resign. The Opposition has said it will seek the President's impeachment when the hearings are completed next Wednesday.

The crisis has hammered the country's financial markets, and on Thursday prompted Vice-President Gloria Arroyo to resign from her cabinet post as social welfare secretary.

Shortly before midnight Friday, Estrada and his defence secretary Orlando Mercado gave surprise interviews to deny rumours that a plan had been hatched to declare a state of emergency or martial law in order to prevent Estrada's ouster.

In response to calls for his resignation, Estrada repeated he would abide by the constitution to complete his term. Estrada admitted state-run casinos were a major source of government revenue but insisted: "The government will turn our backs on this once and for all." He complained the controversy had "distracted us from addressing more pressing problems" and "divided our people at a time when our unity is needed most."

Estrada's first lady, Luisa Ejercito, joined in the counter-attack on Saturday, making her own separate statement denying she or her relatives received any bribes. Ejercito said she never saw the huge amounts of money alleged to have changed hands, remarking the only gift she ever received from Singson was a video camera, which she displayed on television and offered to return. The first lady said she had been going to church every day since the scandal broke.