Alleged jueteng lords, operators snub Senate probe

Despite receiving invitations from the Senate, those who have been tagged as jueteng lords and operators snubbed on Thursday the fourth Senate inquiry on the highly popular but illegal numbers game.

Senator Teofisto Guingona III, who heads the Senate blue ribbon committee, said the non-appearance of the alleged jueteng lords and operators will be to their "disadvantage."

"It is to their disadvantage if they do not make their sides known to the committee. Their non-appearance will be judged accordingly. We will make the conclusions based on the facts that we have gathered," Guingona said at the beginning of the hearing.

Among those invited to the inquiry were those tagged by retired Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz in the controversy, which include Pampanga Governor Lilia "Baby" Pineda and Paul Dy of Isabela.

Also invited were those tagged by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago during a privilege speech as jueteng operators, including Pineda's husband Rodolfo "Bong" Pineda and Charlie "Atong" Ang.

Guingona said the Pinedas claimed that they did not receive an invitation to the Senate hearing. But he said their invitation was received by a certain Reginald Mercado from the Pampanga capitol.

He noted, however, that they will conduct one last hearing during the Senate break to give them one more chance to explain themselves. "This lays to rest this issue. If they do not appear in next hearing then they will be judged accordingly," he said.

Only Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chairman Jose Ferdinand Rojas, Small Town Lottery (STL) project manager Romualdo Quiñones, and former Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio were present as resource persons.

During the last hearing, alleged jueteng lords Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino, Jr. and Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan showed up and defended themselves.

As of posting time, the Senate hearing was ongoing.

Kimberly Jane Tan, GMA News