ANGELES CITY -- Oppositionist Councilor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. has aired strong opposition against the establishment of an electronic gaming center at a commercial area which is adjacent to educational institutions.
“This is a conscience vote. I cannot accept having such industry near the schools, church and heritage district of the city,” Lazatin stressed, after he opposed last March 31 the approval of PR-291-03-17 entitled “A Resolution interposing no objection to the operation of an electronic games, instawin and sports betting by the SHL Amusement and Gaming Inc. located at New Point Entec 2 Mall, Units 16-19 Nepo Center, Angeles City” sponsored by Councilor Jericho Aguas.
While the 300-meter distance from schools set by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) does not apply to malls or arcades, Lazatin said that he cannot allow the approval of the gaming center since it will “set a bad example to our youth.”
Lazatin also expressed his apprehensions towards approving sports betting in the city.
“Ako po ay nababahala sa sports betting, baka po maraming estudyante ang malulong dito (I’m worried with sports betting. Many students will be addicted to this),” Lazatin said.
The councilor claimed that sports betting is an activity of predicting results and placing wager on the outcome. The frequency of sports bet varies by culture, with the vast majority of bets placed on either football, basketball, baseball, mixed martial arts, and boxing, both amateur and professional.
Lazatin added that sports betting can also extend to non-athletic events, such as reality show contests and political elections, and non-human contests such as horse racing, greyhound racing and illegal underground dog fighting.
“Masyado po itong malawak. Baka po makita natin ang mga anak natin na tumataya sa simpleng basketball game once na nabuksan ang establishment na ito. Hindi na pumapasok at inuubos ang baon sa sugal (This is too broad. We might see our children betting on a simple basketball game once the establishment opens. They might not go to school and spend all their money ongambling),” Lazatin said.
Lazatin said he was saddened after the majority bloc approved the resolution, citing the Pagcor guidelines.
Lazatin and fellow opposition Councilor Jesus Sangil voted against it.
“We are obviously outnumbered. But I will continue the fight,” Lazatin said.
Lazatin said he will relay the issue to the schools’ administration and parents-teachers associations as well as the church administration through official communications.
“I will ask them to join me in this crusade and I will assure them that this not about politics. This is about protecting our children against vices,” Lazatin said.
