By Pat C. Santos

As jueteng goes unabated during the Aquino administration another suprising revelation was announced by anti-jueteng crusader retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz as he said he received reports that the illegal numbers game had penetrated four public high schools in Central Luzon and one in Metro Manila.
Cruz told yesterday’s weekly forum at Intramuros that jueteng was flourishing because the government had declared that addressing it was not their priority.
Cruz, who had appeared during a recent Senate inquiry, said he has yet to read the last part of his prepared statement which he failed to read after several questions were directed to him during the senate hearing.
He estimated that the jueteng operation in Luzon’s daily collection at P45 million to P55 million, but stressed that it was only of a “bulb park figure” only and not the actual amount.
They exploit the poor and cheat them who have little money and education. Those who receive bribes for allowing jueteng have no conscience,” Cruz said.
Even the youth now work as collectors for the illegal games which kill the very mind of youth, Cruz added.
Cruz had expressed his dismay over the move of the Palace to abolish small-town lottery (STL), which he said was only a cover-up of Malacañang.
Changing the STL into a new numbers game called lotereya ng bayan is just another new name but “the same dog with a new collar,” he declared. “If he really want to stop it he can and it just a matter of political will.”
He described the late Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo’s efforts in fighting jueteng which did not received any backing from the administration.
It is the DILG who is on top of it as it holds two powerful control over two big agency that is the LGU’s and the police.
Cruz disclosed that he advised  PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome during the Senate inquiry not to accept the DILG undersecretary post but instead retire quietly so he can be free to do what he want to do without the dictate of anyone.
He also talked with outgoing DILG Undersecretary Rico Puno who wished to retire and tend to farming, saying he did not know if he would accept another public appointment.
For incoming Secretary Mar Roxas, Cruz said he found him qualified but wondered whether he could recieve support from President Aquino.
“He (Roxas) better do something about it because in 2016 he will be on his own and he better build up his name or else,” Cruz explained.
The former prelate also said he had been reciving many death threats in form of dry petals and P80 thousand worth of cheque in his name.