FOLLOWING reports on rampant illegal gambling in the country, a House leader asked the House Committee on Public Order and Safety to invite all the regional directors of the Philippine National Police (PNP)

House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo said PNP ranking officials must explain and report the illegal gambling operations in their jurisdiction.

Tulfo made this proposal at the resumption of the hearing of the House Resolution 1549 or the investigation into the continued operation of illegal gambling activities in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) of the said committee, chaired by Sta. Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez.

“We’re talking of illegal gambling Mr. Chair, I suggest that we call all of the regional directors. Kasi ang gambling po ay masyadong proliferated na sa bansa,” Tulfo said in his manifestation.

Fernandez, for his part, agreed to Tulfo’s proposal despite their inquiry, in aid of legislation, is supposedly focus in Calabarzon.

“We have to compare what is happening in Region 4A (Calabarzon) and what is happening in different parts of this country. For that, we will be allowing your motion that we need to invite all the regional directors but insofar as the resolution that I filed is concern,” Fernandez said.

Meanwhile, Tulfo also revealed that the involvement of local officials including politicians is the main problem in combatting illegal gambling.

“Kahit anong gawin nating ‘yaw-yaw’ dito kung hindi naman matigil ito, wala ring mangyayari rito. Bata pa lang ako nag-iimbestiga na ang Kongreso at Senado ng illegal gambling wala namang nangyayari. So, we must do something about it kasi napakalala na talaga ng pasugalan,” Tulfo noted.

“Problema hindi lang po itong mga otoridad natin ang pasok diyan, pati ang mga pulitiko, masakit man hong sabihin pati ang mga pulitiko natin kasama rin minsan diyan,” the lawmaker added.

The lawmaker underscored the need to have a political will i in solving the problem in illegal gambling.

“If you really don’t want it then it won’t happen if you are a mayor,” Tulfo averred.

“I haven’t been a mayor or governor, but I was in the media before, and I know what’s going on. If you are a governor or a mayor, you are the father of the province or the father of the city. If you said no, then it is a no” he said.

For his part, Iligan Rep. Celso Regencia, echoed Tulfo’s statement that local leaders are the biggest factor in solving illegal gambling.

“Totoo po yung sinasabi ni Cong. Erwin Tulfo na kung hindi po papayagan ng Mayor yung pasugalan ay talagang titigil po yun. Kasi sa pulis kung hindi ka papayag sa gusto ng pulitiko, immediately gagawan ka ng order na ipa-relieve ka sa position mo,” Regencia said.

Regencia also insisted that the actions of the local government and policemen must be synchronized to solve the perennial problem in gambling.