COLUMNS

Jueteng and candidates
by Alfred P. Dizon

Archbishop Paciano Aniceto must have been joking when he urged his flock to reject any candidate who cannot declare in public that they have not been involved and will never be involved in “jueteng” and other forms of illegal activities. Call it a shot to the moon but then, no journey starts with one not making the first step.

Everybody knows that jueteng is one of the most profitable industries in the country where almost everybody is a stakeholder – from bishops, cops to politicians. True or not, I doubt if any politician would come out in the open and declare that he had not been involved in jueteng and risk being called a hypocrite.

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Aniceto, the top religious leader of the Capampangans, in a pastoral letter entitled “Reject evil, choose the good,” said “Voters should reject candidates who cannot face the challenge of categorically and truthfully declare in public that they have not been – and will never be – involved in jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling, indiscriminate and corrupt quarrying, vote-buying, any form of cheating in the elections, exorbitant campaigning, violence and extra judicial killings, and illegal drugs.”

“We call on all voters, especially the Catholic faithful, to reject any candidate who cannot truthfully and resolutely make any of the declaration,” he said. Tall order, but the prelate decided to issue the letter in answer to the clamor of the people for Church leaders to make their stand clear with regard to the social cancer that is eroding the moral fiber of the people.

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He said money is again becoming the bone of contention in Capampangan politics. He added if people do not do anything to expose and put a stop to the underhanded and manipulative practices of shady patrons who, because of their involvement in jueteng and questionable quarrying activities have all the money to spend in the elections, then they are bound to take control again of politics and governance.

“In the context of the forthcoming elections, we have reason to be seriously worried that money from jueteng and questionable quarrying will again serve as decisive factor in the victory of certain candidates,” Aniceto said. Good luck bishop. It would be worth watching if bishops in the Cordillera and other parts of northern Luzon issue the challenge to politicians.

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Jueteng money is a necessity for some if not most politicians particularly during elections. Jueteng lords grudgingly give the moolah to their protectors during these times. Who can say these lords of ill-repute are not benevolent? They provide jobs to kubradors so they can have something to feed their families, something the government is hard put in doing. It is illegal but everybody loves it. It is high time we legalize it like casinos and lotto so it could be regulated and the money could be accounted well. But then again, who says there is transparency on the part of government in baring how taxpayers’ money is used?

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Maybe Bishop Aniceto should also come up with a statement urging government officials to declare that they have not absconded or misused government money and likewise urge the people not to vote for officials who don’t declare that they are clean. Another shot to the moon, but will please somebody among our officials please stand up and declare their “cleanliness” and “uprightness.”

Maybe, Aniceto without saying it, is amenable to the proposal of Brother Mike Velarde's that the Church endorse candidates.

Now, Sen. Recto is saying it’s something for the Church hierarchy to decide on. “At the very least, the Church should conduct voters' education and raise citizen awareness on the need for honest election. It can also issue guidelines for the enlightenment of its flock so they can make an informed choice come election day. Whatever our faith is, we should not vote for a person solely based on his religion, but should appraise a person in his totality.” Sultan Kiram, anyone? Any hot-blooded male I guess would be envious at someone who has four wives and would not vote for him.

But then again, it is not the Muslims who have the most wives but the Christians. I guess everybody knows these high-profile former governments who have more than five wives and lots of children from different women.

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This former senator is one of the prolific breeders, but then, that is his business. You see, I have not been a huge fan of many a politician in the national level including Mr. Macho. I’m still thinking who among these senatoriables deserve my vote come election day since my immediate family discouraged me from filing the candidacy of my dog Mukat for senator with the Commission on Elections. They said upright, reliable and loyal Mukat would become tainted.