Paraguay in South America and the Philippines in Asia could be described as poles apart, but where gambling is concerned they seem to have certain similarities. The common theme is the influence in high places that can alter a business, a life, or the course of justice.

The Davao Sun Star in the Philippines has reported that an unidentified whistleblower and a nameless bishop have made allegations of a connection between jeuteng lords and people in high places close to the government at Malacañang. Jeuteng is the illegal numbers game that supports thousands of collectors and cabos (supervisors), and makes rich pickings for the jeuteng lords. According to the two accusers, code names of the influential individuals are on the jeuteng payroll.

The former president of the Philippines, Joseph Estrada, was beset by charges of involvement in jeuteng, and it was one of the issues that led to the fall of his administration. The present government is now being targeted, but has called for both the bishop and the whistleblower to identify themselves and the accused, so that they can testify.

The Sun Star correspondent suggests that there are three sides to every issue – the accusers, the accused and the truth – and calls for the accusations to be backed by evidence. There is also a call for jeuteng to be legalized so that the billions of illegal gambling pesos could go direct to the government rather than to the jeuteng lords. The Philippines already has many legal forms of gambling including casinos, cockfighting and lottery.

Across land and sea in Paraguay a different tale is being told, albeit similar in that money can be made to talk. ABC Color Digital reports that legal chicanery and political patronage may be keeping a slot machine operation from opening in Asuncion. The ‘sinner’ in this case is an Argentinean company and the ‘sinned against’ is a local company that wishes to set up a rival operation next door and has received a licence from the Municipality of Asuncion.

The complaint against the Argentinean company is that the court injunction of ‘no change’ for the location was signed rapidly and during the January holiday, seeming to suggest that there was political influence with judges and the courts. A counter complaint has been made by the Argentinean company against the rival property owner. The delay in opening the locally-owned business is affecting around 50 employees who are waiting to work.

Influence in high places has long determined the course of events in every country, and money is almost always the instigator. Gambling is just a small part of the whole equation. (E-05.12.05)

© Copyright 2005 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage